The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-16
AN ENGLISH PUBLISHER
MIR. PEARSON is A BELIEVER In THE
INFLUENCE OF LUCK.
His Idea of the American Kind of Sem
satiOnaIism-AR Rising Pro-
fessiOn Abroad.
New York Evening Post.


Replying to-day TO some inquiries made
of him regarding how to succeed, according
to his English view. in Journalism, Mr.. c.
Arthur Pearson, the chief British rival of
Mr. Alfred Harmsworth as publisher
who makes large profits. declared that very
much the same qualities are required as
are necessary for success in other trades
and professions-''energy, promptness and
the best possible use of ones wits" He
added that 1.-The great thing for an aspiring
journalist to bear in mind is that quick ac
ton and prompt decision are qualities of
the first Importance to newspaper man;
that discretion in printing what he finds
out is of at least as much Importance as the
obtaining of scoops and that keenness TO
gather exclusive information should never
permit him to violate the canons of good
taste or 10 intrude upon the privacy of in
dividuals.
Certainly the work of the Journalist is
making very rapid strides in all countries,
so far as its dignity is concerned. In Eng
land and in most countries on the continent
of Europe the class of men entering jour-
nalism is much superior to-day to the class
which selected the profession a few years
ago.
a.
English journalists were men who, for one
reason or another, had drifted into journal
ism, many or them after having made fail
ures at other professions. Nowadays a
bright lad from college considers journal
ism as Offering him an opening at least
equal TO that afforded by any other calling.
Il remember that seventeen years ago,
when / went into journalism, my grand
1ather, a Church of England clergyman of
the old school, was horrified at my selec
ton OF what he considered quite a disrep-
calling "a h.at, .terhf
up as a gentleman he wrote my father,
and should not be allowed TO enter a pro-
fession which | understand is followed by
most secOnd-rate persons
This kind of impression of the calling
or Journalism has entirely faded away i'm
England to-day. and the journalist has
taken his proper place as exponent of
profession which is at least as honorable.
and probably more important than any
BELIEVES IN LUCK.
1t was interesting TO learn that he at
tributes his own progress personally to
good luck. IL do not think that ordinarily
people attach nearly enough Importance
to this factor" he said. 1T doesn't seem
TO me possible to explain in any other way
the fact that many brilliant men serve
others far less brilliant than themselves.
For success in business / am quite con-
WINGED that good luck Is the principal fac
Tor. IL Is OF course, necessary that its
snap and intelligence TO take full ad-
vantage OF this gift of the gods. and men
OF unusual genius must necessarily be
excluded. My remarks are intended TO
apply TO ordinarily successful men OF bust
aaess, not tc Carnegies, Rockefellers or
Morgans."
Then. speaking generally of newspapers
and the taste Of the public. he observed:
The main difference in taste between the
two countries IEngland and the United
Statesl, which seems to be evidenced by
a comparison of English and American
papers. t. undoubtedly the greater love
for sensationalism displayed by the pub
lie here. There are, of course American
papers. OF which the Evening Post Is an
example, which do not indulge in seven
column headlines when a man shoots his
sweetheart or a negro is lynched sn Texas:
but the fact that they are so exceptional
TO the general rule looks as though the
taste OF the great public here demands
sensationalism in form which could not
possibly prove acceptable in England
This is from the point of view OF the
editor
From that of the proprietor the striking
dlnerence Is the immense volume OF trade
advertisements which American newspapers
carry. particularly those emanating from
owners OF large retail stores, class of
business which is practically nonexistent in
ITO my mind the New York newspapers
would be improved by an Abandonment ~
S scare, o n6 by the he use of fewer va
stricter line Of delnarcation between news
and advertisements: but this. after ali. Is
only the opinion OF one 10 whose eve the
newspapers OF this town come as something
strange and unaccustomed."
THE EUROPEAN PRESS
He was asked II European newspapers
were not being used nowadays as diplo-
matte instruments. for good or i'll. THE
tendency towards using inspired editorials
for conveying diplomatic suggestions or
warnings 10 other nations does not obtain
at all In England" he declared 1T is un-
doubtedly method used often and TO ex-
cellent purpose by the German and Rus
sian governments. but | think is open TO
such obvious possible abuses that England
and America would do very well 10 leave
Ii severely alone
Mr.. Pearson expressed himself as decided
~ opposed 10 what Is known as fake"
journalism, and explained the publication
In his paper. OF the massacre stories at the
beginning OF the trouble In China in this
way: THE stories were bona -fide Shanghai
cables. and were held I'm our Office two DAYS
for verifcation. which was finally obtained
from our correspondent In China. Nirtu-
ally the same yarn was cabled 70 and
printed In the Mail We exhausted every
means of verification. and then printed the
story In good faith"
Yesterday 10 many assembled reporters
Mr.. Pearson said:
THE chief fault I find with American
newspapers Is that they deal too much
with peoples private affairs It's undig-