Waterbury Democrat., 1902-04-14
PARSONS TELLS HIS STORY.
Another Chapter in the Newspaper
 Squabble in This City.

1 SQHaDDle III HIS C1Lys
 Advertising Manager Frank T. Par sons gives hls side or the story, Whlch is causing some of the local editors so much worry, as follows, in tlls morn jugs Republicans:
 Sir: AIler several days reflection, ! which should convince anybody that am not controlled by my lmpaueHl temper and hasty judgment i'll tllne ol eAci.eneni,' 1 desire 10 reply 10 lne personal attack maue upon me Dy tne American on Thursday evening, ana 70 give my version of incidents tdlat nave been disputed by that paper.
 When 1t became known, on the night of the fire, that the power to run the plant of the Republican was cut or and we had to look Tor assistance 10 get out paper, it was who suggested to Editor Lathrop the idea of calling on the American to get Us out of bad predicament. If there had been any personal animosities between myself and any representative of the Ameri- can, they were sunk in the stress ot that time, for it is an almost unheard of thing in newspaper annals for one paper to fail for any reason whatever to accord help to another. Creed, pcal- tics, policies, personalities and rivalrles are by an unwritten law of journalism forgotten in moments of distress. They certainly were not remembered by me that night.
 Accordingly proceeded to the Amer ican office, found Business Manager Reach, told him of our predicament, and requested the courtesy of help in getting out paper for the morning. I was told that they had no light. 1 al- ready knew that. When reminded that it would be possible to start the fires and make their own light and power he replied: "Oh, yes, that's so." l was told that he would see, and that l should come back in an hour. Let me make the point here that mans manner Is sometimes more sig nifcant and impressive than the actual words he uses.
 During this call I was asked indif ferently if the Waterbury Printing Go could not help us out. My reply to that was: Never mind the Waterbury Printing Go; what will you do for us?" was again put off.
 At the appointed time made a sec ond call on the American. Mr Reach informed me that they did mot dare undertake it." persisted for some as- surance. I knew they would be no worse off if they showed their good will by lighting the fires than they would be with the fires unlighted, and I if no misfortune came to them they would be in a position to give us in- stant help, and every minute was i'm portant. I was given no encourage. ment that we could expect help, then or later, with or without any condi- tions. The simple assurance that help, if possible, would be given later would have satisfied me. It was not given. l ] returned to the Republican office and made my report was not ex- cited. was quiet but active, and for the time the incident passed out of my mind, for more important things occu- i pied my attention. I recall that the comment of half a dozen persons, made as with one voice, when I returned was: ''The fire is nowhere near them; they are in no danger
 As for the story, had no part in cir culating it, except to tell some friends who inquired, that it was substantially correct, but that it had been distorted in publication. have not been in Wa terbury sixty years, but have been here sixteen years, and am perfectly willing to leave this whole matter in the hands of the public who have known me.
 In closing let Us see what Mr Chapin says i'll defense of the Americans atti- tude. In his editorial explanation of February he used these words:
 Inquiry was made if the American could help it out. Answer was made that at just that time the Americans own position was one of rapidly in. creasing peril and that in half an hour or so 1t would be possible to answer whether We could give help or should need it. The fire came so quickly after that there was no future need of an swer to the Republican"
 Evidently having forgotten the above explanation MT Chapin penned the fol- lowing several weeks later, which ap- peared in theAmerican's editorial col umns Thursday evening, April 10:
 'An hour later he came again. At this time the fire was destroyng the Salvation army shelter, within perhaps fifty yards of the American building. 90 yards of the American building. He ", and assured that he would be taken care of if we were not burned out ,ur- selves
 A third editorial. it seems to me- ought,to explain which of these is the truth FRANK TT PARSONS