Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-11-11

U "a ~
u HAVE THOUGHT OF IT." SAID
MR.. NORTON.
which Is a cooperative affair, but |
this, while an invulnerable adjunct,
is really small item in the total ex-
pense of q great paper. 1t simply
does on small scale what can and
should be done on a large scale"
you would have syndicate of pa
pers-one paper in each of the large
Cities" suggested Mr.. Morton.
Il would have syndicate which
would own two papers In all cities
having populations in excess of 1oO,-
aoo," replied Mr.. Hestor.
Eyes, I see. One republican and one
democratic paper in each city.
Albumin. That would be quite a
plan," said Mr.. Morton, drawing his
hand slowly over his stubbled chin.
Both under one general manage
ment, I suppose?"
Certainly"
"Have you made any general esti-
mates of the expense of such a plan,
OF prepared any synopsis of the way
in which it could be executed?" asked
Mr.. Morton, with the first manifesto
ton of real interest.
II did not care to go to the trouble
and expense of doing so until l had
a conference with you," replied Hes
tor, who guarded himself against
over-enthusiasm when he saw that
he had made some progress. ct will
require considerable capital, much
work, and good judgment in the exc
cution of the plans; and more than
all, the most rigid secrecy must be
maintained. You are the only man
to whom this subject has been
preached, and need not ask you to
regard this matter as strictly conf
dental in case you should decide to
do nothing in the way of its advance
ment."
Mr.. Morton nodded his head and
growled consent to this injunction,
which he evidently regarded as un.
necessary.
II would start this syndicate in
chain of 80 cities, with two papers in
each," continued Mr.. Hestor, who
rapidly noted q list. Here are the
cities have in mind: New York,
Brooklyn, Boston, Philadelphia, Bal
timore, Washington, Rochester, Buff
falo. Atlanta, New Orleans, Louis
vile, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Cleveland,
Detroit, indianapolis, Chicago, Mil
waukee, St. Paul or Minneapolis, St.
Louis Ko-,,,
City, Denver, Helena, Seattle, Taco
ma, Portland, San Francisco and Los
Angeles."->
Mr.. Hestor then entered into a de-
tailed and comprehensive explanation
OF the proposed newspaper trust. He
submitted figures showing that go pa
pers could Ne purchased for less than
$115, ooO,ooo,. and proved that these pa
pers were then earning $7,50O,oOO
year, or more than five per cent. on
the required investment. Hestor pro-
posed retrenchment in three impor>
tant departments, viz: the Sunday
papers, the editorial stats, and the
abolition of the advertising agency.
Instead of preparing 60 Sunday pa
pers, the syndicate would print four,
each of surprising excellence. These
four papers would give all syndicate
papers in contiguous territory dis=
tinct Sunday paper. Each Of these
four Sunday papers would have
marked speciality, and each would
strongly appeal to certain class of
readers, One would make special
ty of amusements; another of litera-
ture; the third of fiction, and the
fourth Of science and art-but each
would be complete magazine. Hes
tor showed that four such Sunday
magazines could afford to employ the
highest literary and artistic genius
of the world, and proved that no
competition with them would be pos
sible. The saving would amount to
not less than $4,0o0,00O year, in the
single item of Sunday papers.
The editorial department would be
conducted on similar plan. Instead
of 400 editorial writers-as at pres.
ent-he would have staff of 20; nc,
knowledged authorities in their re.
| spective specialties. The editor-in.
chief would keep in touch with the
owners of the syndicate, who would
Tins be able to dictate the thought
of the country in the leading repub.
lican and democratic papers.
| 'The reduced expenses of the edi-
torial department will be about $780,.
000," said Mr.. Hestor. you can place
your own estimate on the financial
benefits your syndicate will receive
from being able to inspire and regu-
| late the thought of a nation"
Hestor then explained how millions
could be saved by dealing direct with