The Washington weekly post., 1900-12-11
COVERING THE RETURNS.
Plan Pursued In the Once of the New
York World.

From the Fourth Estate.
The New York Worlds preparations for
the gathering and handling Of the election
returns were probably the most elaborate
ever undertaken by single newspaper
Work was begun rearly a month before
hand. A general plan of procedure was
adopted. the details of it's development be-
ing left TO the heads of departments.
When everything was family settled an
eight-page pamphlet embodyiug general
and specific orders was issued for the sole
use Of the staff on election night in the
World Office.
The info, nation contained therein was
minute and exact Every. reporter, editor
and correspondent found outlined therein
his duties for the night The first page
starts off with the following:
Make-up-Mr Van Hamm. assisted by Mr.. ROg-
ers will have entire charge Of getting the World to
press Tuesday night. When either OF them an
nounces that he wishes any particular piece Of copy
expedited. or issues any other request. or order,
Il is 10 be explicitly carried out without question
An Office boy viii be detailed 10 serve Messrs. Van
Hamm and Rogers
CoDy-Mr. Wood will be stationed at the copy
desk IN the composing room. al copy will first
90 TO him He will have charge of it until the copy
cutter needs material. viii arrange all matter IN
its proper order. and endeavor, by having it run
out correctly, TO prevent the use OF 'ad1'' lines
and thus furnish ali necessary information to Mr..
WOODY
Clearing -hOuse-Mr. Cloak will act as the clear
ing-house for all election copy coming into the
Office through the wicket tube by the telegraph
loops He will assoH the copy and send it TO the
various desks. Mr.. Anderson will assist Mr.. Cloak.
An Office boy will be detailed to them.
Tables-The following is list of the tables to
be published Wednesday morning. November Z:
One two-column table showing the electoral vote
in the several States, with pIuralities.
One four-eolumn table showing the pluraiities in
New York counties for the Presidential ticket and
for governor This table is made up so that IL may
De divided into two teo-column tables in the event
that the vote on governor is late.
one two-oolumn table Of total vote by assembly
districts and wards In Greater New York by bor-
ouGhs This table il made up so that il nav be di-
vided into Two One-cOgmn tables in the event that
the vote on governor is late.
A tWo-colUmn-wlde story with table showing re-
suits as TO legislatures that elect United States
Senator'S
The list Of members elected 20 the lower house Of
congress, with table giving the political divisions
OF the Fiity-seveDth aud Fifty-sixth Congresses.
Electoral vote-Mr. Martinez will have charge of
the table giving the result Of the electoral vote
in the various States Give him all possible assist
anCe and advice.
Congress-Mf. Hawkins will have charge Of all r..
turns on Congressman and legislatures that elect
United States Senator's.
Mt ssIs Grout and Justius will assist Mr.. HsW-
kins. ~"
C.ty rett rns-Mr. Tholens will have charge Of the
returns for New York City. He will have a two
column table dealing with the total vote on Pres-
dent and governor.
Following the above is a list of the COR
respondents, with their addresses. who
were 10 have charge OF the returns from
each county In the State. Detailed in
struclons were given as TO the prepara-
u0n or bulletins and the filing of copy
Then came a list of the candidates IN
be voted for in the several States outside
OF the national ticket and the correspond-
entS who were 10 cover the election ont
side of New York '"'
Indeed, not an item of information nec-
essafy TO the guidance OF the editors or
reporters was omitted
AS the result of all this preliuinarv
work and the care devoted 10 it TLs
Worlds story OF the election as publish-
ed on Wednesday morning was one of ;Ie
best ever put forth in the city.
The forms went 10 press at / O'clock an
hour earlier than usual At 2:3O o'clock a
train loaded with Worlds left the Grand
Central depot for Boston, at which cifv
II arrived shortly after T. This is said tn
be the earliest hour at which a New York
morning newspaper has been delivered al
the Hub on the day OF its publication.