Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-02-22
PHILADElPHIA'S NICE WAYS.
Case Of a Man Who Was Sporting Editor Of an
eminentIy 0ignified Newspaper.

Every newspaper man who has ever
worked in Philadelphia has a stock Of
stories about one newspaper. which
snail be nameless and curiously
enough. they are all vouched for rs
true. This paper frequently Sacrifices
news to its traditional dignity. and the
ways Of the office are sometimes anus
ing to the initiated 4 man who was
connected with it told this story to
group of newspaper men. and before he
had finished ii, two of his auditors said
that they were in Philadelphia at the
time and knew that the circumstances
were as related.
The editor Of this paper discovered. a
few years ago. that every other paper
in town employed sporting editor.
His paper printed little or no sporting
news. but. nos 10 be left too far behind.
he engaged "A man Who may he called
Bangs as sporting and Yachting editor
40 one ever saw the results Of Bangs
work in the paper. For eight months
all letters and clippings pertaining
matters We're placed on Bangs desk.
Bangs would report at the office every
DAY, look over the material on his desk
shove il into the waste basket and go
home. Once week he collected $50
from the cashier
Philadelphia is not yachting center.
bur at that time an event occurred down
tn" bay that was Of general interest and
Tor personal Reasons. ii was of par
ucular interest to the paper on which
Bangs worked. This event was sched-
uied for Sept. . Bangs had accepted an
invitation to plankei shad dinner on
that day. he wanted to 60 to the dinner.
and 4 the same time his conscience as
va htinc editor suggested that it was
his duty 10 cover the one yacht race Of
the year. The dinner won and Bangs
eascd his conscience by thinking that he
could get Il description of the race in the
evening from some one who had seen it,
He returned Ia Philadelphia late, after
his dinner. and merely succeeded in get
ting the result Of the race. which he
printed the next morning. TO his great
surprise one If the other papers in town
printed a column about the event. Bangs
read il through ana realized that he had
been beaten badly.
There is no use Of my going near the
Office again after this, he said to Il
friend. Il don't care to go down and be
told that | have been discharged, so L
will just stay away.
Two months later an acquaintance from
New York callei at the newspaper office
to find Bangs. lie could get no informa-
ton about him in the editorial rooms.
and went down and questioned the cash
Ter. The cashier looked over his roll I'M
til he came 10 Bang name, and then he
said:
"Rangs? Bangs? Al. yes Bangs. re-
member now. Wei. think Bangs must
he i'll. There is two months back salary
here for him, and ne used to be very
prompt in correcting"
The New York man thought that if
Bangs were i'll it was his duty 10 look
him up. He found hlm at club fire.
gucntcd BY newspaper men and cX-
claimed:
why. Bangs m glad to see that you
are out again. What < been the natter
Nothing" said Bangs, chalkinG his
cue
''Why. the cashier told me that YOU had
not drawn your salary for two months,
and he thought that yun must be ILL.,
What the-hy-say sFas that all he
said e.
Yes, ana he seemed 10 be worried
about you
4 broad smile spread over Bangs face.
He wrote a note to the cashier asking
him to give his money to the bearer and
stating that he was ConValeScng and cN-
pected TO be back at his desk in two
weeks. A messenger took the note and
with the money, Two weeks
later Bangs turned up at his desk and
received the congratulations of the stan
on his recovery. He said that he had
suffered from nervous prostration. and
for a month after his return the manaS-
ing editor frequently cautioned him not
To attempt to do too much. Bangs Is stun
hTiNing in Philalplplia.