Waterbury Democrat., 1901-01-03
.,s.xy. k X M
 gt6h C6rrespondSnts Believe in the Combination Idea.
First Newspaper Wrfters' Orgnniza- = ton Was n Mutual Admiration s Scciety-Modern Methods of
 News Division.
Especial Washington Lettsr.l

WO old newspaper cronles met
 here recently and passed the
 early evening hours in ramblin 2 and exchanging "reminiscences. Just before time for nightcaps, one of the 1>hite-haired veterans of the pencil, paste and shears said: K .i T think that newspaper talent of the present day stands on it's merit. A man is no longer employed on a reputa ble journal because he is the son of somebody or the friend of an influential pull. It was not always so.
 1T remember when I was some years younger I was doing editorial para graphs on morning paper. At that time the man who did para graphs generally did the clippings. It was delightful combination, as you shall see.
 'iOne day I received circular signed by three paragraphers-one from the Brooklyn Argus, one from the New York Commercial Advertiser, and one from the New York Herald. They proposed the organization of a Paragraphers' association, the object being to promote friendly and fra ternal feeling and a better acquaint- ance.' A list of the newspaper para graphers who were invited to joir the association was submitted. In a few days I received another circular in which it was stated that favorable responses had been received from the following:
 George F. Babhitt, Boston Post; Cecil T. Bsgnall, Turner's Falls Re. porter; J. NJ. Bailey, Danbury News; George D. Bayard, Brooklyn Argus; Nathaniel Burbank, New Orleans Re- publican; Robert ). Burdette, Bur- lington Hawkeye; George L. Catlin. New York Commerciai-Adverti W A. Croffut, New York Graphic; I. N. Gregory. Rochester Democrat; Charles Burdette Hart, Baltimore Gazette: J. G. P. Holden, Yonkers Gazette; c. B. Lewis, Detroit Free Press; "P. I. Man, New York Herald; L. Nj. Rewey, Worcester Press; Spicer, Bos- ton mnercial-Bulletin; Samuel W Small. Atlanta Herald: Stiles T. Stan ton. Norwich Bulletin: Alexander Sweet. San Antonio Herald; Ausburn Towner, Elrlira Advertiser; Stanley Waterloo, St. Louis Republican; Fran cis Wells, Philadelphia Evening Bull, letin; W. 4. Wilkins, Whitehall Times; J. H. Williams, Norristown Herald :; E. E. Wood. Chicago Evening Journal. making a membership of 24 out of the 8 to whom circulars were sent.
 The assccia ticn was formed and officers elected. The ballot was by mail, tickets having been sent out in the same manner. The dues were one dollar year. An annual dinner was to be held in some central city, but l think none ever came off. Photo graphs were exchanged, so was 'wit, ;: and for q season the reader was re galed with the wit of the Paragraph ers' association and none other. The funny man who tried to make him. self famous on his own merit had hard sledding. His stuff was never copied. and ne remained in the shade of obscurity until new blood in the engagement of reputable journals fired out the association of mutual ad- mirers and employed men for their worth
 Thus the first newspaper trust busted. Like all others engaged in the monopoly business we went too far and overreached ourselves. Look over these names and you will recall the careers of some of the men. The newspaper men of the country have knowledge of all of them. The casual readers will rene enber some of them It is not many years since J. Nj Bailey made the Danbury News known throughout the length and breadth of the land with his wit and humor. It has been full 20 years since Bob Burdctte made the Burling-