The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-12-26

WvllH VUlllW Know now muCn
NJ you have tempted
lAA ms e 90,
"I'm not so sure. The offer is full OF
possibilities. StilP'-
"Well, don't keep anything back"
"The News itself-you know my
ideas about it. The paper is full OF
sensation; it is unreliable; it is not jour-
nalism that any thoughtful man re-
spects."
"What difference does that make II
you have, your own page to do with 1t
as you like?''
Barton spoke with apparent ind1ffer-
ence concerning his friends estimate
of Journalism, as if he either acknowl
edged the truth of Gordon's statement
or did not care to argue it.
"Of course it makes good deal or
difference. Do you think Harris is
sincere in his reform movements? is
he using the paper to help the people
or is he simply taking up popular
causes because he is shrewd enough
to see that it is good policy for the
NewsY
Barton looked at John Gordon quiz
zically.
do you know HarrisY
"T've seen him, but j don't know
him."
Neither do l. He's put 100000
into the News and the paper has made
at least half that in the time it has been
going. He's proud as Lucifer and has
Lucifer's ambition. He's willing to do
anything except get into Jail for the
paper, and he'd probably do that If 1t
would increase the circulation. But
what difference does it make to you,
John, so long as you have full swing
in your own Department."
'I don't know that my work will
really be helped by going into print.
faith in Harris, and have contempt
for his journalistic methods. Now look
here
John Gordon picked up from the ia
BILE a copy of the News and began read
ing some of the headlines.
microbes In Car Straps! Menace
to Travelling Public! Danger Explained
by Professor Roitger Of the Universe
tyr
"The Richest Woman In the World!
Her Daily Routine! Over 100000
Worth Of Gems In Her Hair at the
Court Ballp'
'The Cost of One Days Spree For
Two Fourteenth Street Bloods! Item
lied Account
"Mrs. Brown Calls Mrs. Jones a
Liar! They Have Scrappy Time OF
1t In the Back Yard! The Neighbors
Take Handv'
Theological Set-to at the University!
Professors Do Not Agree on Figures!
One Teaches That Adam Never Elk
istedp'
''The Newest Fad! Society's Craze
For Egyptian Mummies! The Latest
Developments
"The Tallest Woman In America!
Her Diet, Daily Habits, etc."
"Rottenness at the City Hall! A
Full Exposure of DR.. Lumme's Ex-
travagances! Policeman Murphy
Scores a Hit at Alderman Schwartz!
Turn on the Lightw
Thoroughbred Toy Dogs! An Elk
pensive Luxury! Mrs. Near Has a
Choice Collection!'
"Ghastly Suicide of an Old Sailor!
Purposely Jumped Into Vat of Boil
ing Acid! Full Particularsy'
"War! The Sultan Is Growing More
Defiant! Orders Out Bosporus Fleet"
'The Sandal Craze! Boots and Shoes
q Back Number Soon! Pictures of
Latest Stylesw
Gordon threw the paper down. and
Barton laughed cynically.
whats the matter with It? At any
rate, they keep buying it. Whoever
sees an Index or Standard around
Hope House? There you are! If you
want to reach the people. do 1t through
the medium that the people USE Think
Of over 100000 readers of the News
every day"
eyes, think of itr' exclaimed John
Gordon. Think Of the stuff they read
that is untruth and exaggeration and
AJSICAAo aOOuL Indt are vi uO
value A column to Toy Dogsr kept
by rich woman who spends enough
money on them to save the lives Of a
hundred babies! 1t is this sort of thing
that makes anarchists and criminals.
All Harris wants out Of reform page
is to advertise the paper. I'm almost
sure Of it"
"Probablyr' said Barton dryly. cat
the same time you can be getting in
your reform work through a paper
that is read by the very people you
want to help"
"But it is not read nor believed in by
the very people who have 1t in their
power to help the people. David, the
best people in the city don't care for
the News. They laugh at its editorials
and don't care for its influence. It real
~ has no influence with them"
For the first time David Barton
seemed disturbed. The frank criticism
of his friend concerning the News in
respect to its printed matter had nor
moved him. But this last statement
touched tender spot Barton's pale
cheeks flushed, and he struck the table
with his clinched fist.
,Sn%% ALL