The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-12
CHARGED FOR HIS INTERVIEWS.
How the Late Ex-surgeOn General
Hammond Treated Newspaper Men.
ihington Correspondence Chicago
TlgaCrd


Washington Correspondence Chicago
Record.
The late DR.. Hammond was the only
man l ever knew who charged a fee for
newspaper interviews. Whenever a re-
porter called upon him for information.
as was frequently the case before this
popularity was known. he would be COM
PEELED to wait among the patients in the
antereom, and when his time came he
would be shown into DR.. Hammond's Of
fee. Then when ne explained his bust
ness the doctor would reply gravely but
eourteously that he was perfectly willing
TO answer the questions, but if he did so
he would have to charge the same fee
that he would expect from a patient who
made a professional inquiry. Usually the
reporter would express surprise such
an unusual condition. and try to coax DIT.
Hammond to make an exception to his
rule, but he invariably declined to do so,
and therefore you seldom saw an inter
view from him in the newspapers.
Some years ago | had a little experience
OF this kind myself. | cad been in
structed to write an article on the inter-
esting inquiry whether a man could be
frightened to death, and after consulting
Gen. Sherman, Gen. Sheridan and several
veterans who had participated in many
battles, and others who We're familiar
with the experience of a soldiers life, l
saw several old army surgeons and got
their views and finally went to DR. Ham
mond, who had not only been surgeon
general of the army (although afterward
dismissed by courtmartiaD but was one
of the most famous specialists in disease
of the nerves.
After waiting with lot of patients In his
I 1S
shown into. his consulting room. DR. Ham
mond was a very large man. with a leon
Inc head, an abundance of gray hair,
heavy eyebrows. and a long bushy beard
He sat upon a sort of throne behind long
table, upon which were writing materials
a large memorandum book and at his
right hand a pile of bank bills held in
place by paper weight which were sup
posed to represent the fees received from
his patients that day. AS | had a famil-
lar acquaintance with him. he seemed sur
prised 10 see me. greeted me cordially. and
asked me to take seat; but when | ex-
planned the object of my visit the temper
ature of the room changed very suddenly
and he remarked in low, serious tone
ITO lie able to answer your inquiry fully
and correctly would involve long expert
ence in the medical profession and pro
found knowledge which few men possess
so thoroughly as myself I have given
the SUBJECT great deal or time ana dtten-
ton and am prepared to furnish you a
professional opinion, but of course should
expect considerable fee
"a fee?" I asked, in surprise. Il am
not personally interested, but have been
instructed by my newspaper to interview
you on the subject
II understand the situation precisely
responded Or. Hammond. Your newspa-
per expects me to give it the results of a
lifelong study and experience in order TO
sell it to its readers. If l were a lawyer
and your editor should consult me profess
sionally on subject of equity he would
expect 10 pay fee of at least 500 ana
perhaps s25e."
But it is not customary to pay for news
paper interviews" l replied. People are
generally willing 10 talk for publication
because the information is enjoyed by the
public and because of the honor and prom
inence it gives them"
Il have been uhjustly scandalized by
medical associations" said DR.. Hammond
"for advertising myself in the newspapers,
and since then l have never uttered a
word or expressed opinion for publica-
ton without charging a fee. Your fee in
this case will be $50