Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-03-19

attained in this terpsichorean di-
version Mr. Chalmers, the managing
editor, entered the room.
by the way, Chalmers" said Hes
tor, as he paced up and down the
room, "why wouldn't it be a good
scheme to let the women of New York
assume entire charge of the Record
for u week. Get some well-known
society woman to act as cditor-in-
chief, and advertise for women
writer's of all kinds. OF course YOU
will have to look after the mechani-
cal and routine part of the paper,
but let them collect and write all the
stuff. Select young women to report
the horse races, prize fights, the po-
lice news. the courts and to handle
all departments of the paper. They
foreign and out-of-town stuff as they
pleased They would write all Of
the editorials and draw all of the
pictures. Great scheme don't you
think SOP"
Mr.. Chalmers said it would prob
ably drive him into an insane asylum,
but that it was nothing short of an
inspiration. He agreed to outline %
plan and to confer with some pro-
gressivc women he had in mind
While they were discussing thia
project, word was received from Mr..
Palmer j. Morton that though very
busy he would be pleased 60 see Mr..
Hcstor about four o'clock that after
noon. The financier was not unac-
quainted with the erratic correspond
cnt of The Record. and while not in
sympathy with the aims or methods
Of that paper was not inclined to in
eur hostility by refusing the request
made by Hestor.
At four o'clock the Hcstor automc-
bile wheeled in front of a Broadway
Office building, and a few minutes
later the famous correspondent was
ushcrcd into the magnate's private
Office. This apartment was severely
plain.
Mr.. Morton was large, broad
shouldered man. with cloSc-croppcd
beard which must have once been
black or dark brown. Shaggy grey
eyebrows stood guard over eyes of
steel bluc-orcy; eyes which looked
you full in the face as if 10 bid YOU
tell your inuermost thoughts: and to
tell them quickly. Enormous hands
were knotted with muscles of which
gang might he proud 4 dark suit
of blue: n scarf of the same color.
without any pin; and Il modest
watch chain, were features of APP
parel which distinguished MIR. Nor
ton from the well dressed attend
ants who ushcred Hcstor into this
Office.
II am glad to see you again. Mr..
Hcstor. Take chair. You will
find that one more comfortable.
trust you do not intend to Interview
me. You know my rule" Mr. Nor
ton looked sternly at Hestor, who
smiled and replied that he had loug
ago abandoned that enterprise as IL
vain pursuit.
Il have called on a matter OF bus
iress,' said Mr.. IIestor. brisiliv. as
be removed his gloves, and leaned
slightly forward in his chair. you
are busy man and ! will attempt
to state my proposition as concisely
as possible. According to popular
report and to general knowledge you
have been tept the moving spirit in
those great financial undertakings
which have resulted in the reorgani-
Iation of various Industries. Your
standing is such that your name is
sufficient to guarantee the success
of any undertaking of this character.
Did il ever occur to you that there
is one great industry which never
yet has tested the benefits which
come from a community of owner
ship? In other words. have you con-
sidered the possibilities Of a news
paper trust?"
Mr.. llestor paused. The stern old
millionaire did not answer for mo-
ment. and seemed to be waiting for
the editor to continue. Hestor was
content to wait.
Il have thought of it, but l did noe
imagine the first suggestion would
come from a representative of The
Record" said MIR. Morton. Hestor
was not the least abashed.
Il am not responsible for what APP
pears in The Record. and you know
enough about newspapers, and es-
Pecially metropolitan papers, to un-
derstand the exigencies of politics. ~
he said. Won will concede that our
criticism of trusts has not seriously
interfered with your plans. In
any"
II do not concede that" interrupts ed
Mr.. Morton. THAT. however. has
nothing to do with your proposition.
State your plan. | am willing to lis
ten to it,"
"There is no industry in the coun-
try Offering so great an opportunity
for trust management as that OF the
newspaper press" said Mr.. Hestor,
with earneStness. at is true that we
have the Associated Press service,
At = ~,