The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1903-11-20
COL. W. J. BRYAN
A MONEY MAKER.
SAID to be Worth $250,0O0.-Has
Made Fortune Out of His
Paper, 1.-The Com
mOner.'

In January, 1901, Col. VIM. J
Bryan began the publication of hi
weekly newspaper, 1.-THE Commoner.
1t has been tremendous money
maker. 1t began with a circ ulation
fully paid, 'of $4,000. Last week thu
issue was $4,000.
| Ii the concern were capitalized oil
the basis of its net earnings at 6 pc
cent, it would be worth all the wa.
from s250,000 to 100000. Local pub
fishers estimate it's net earnings al
the way from $40, 900 to $4,000 a year
At the Commoner office no hint of the
real clean up is given.
Mr.. Bryan's ability as money
maker has been demonstrated severa
times. Additional evidence was giver
when he began the publication of hi:
newspaper.
With sublime confidence in his owr
powers, he disdained the advice to Sc.
cure practical newspaper man as hi;
business manager. He installed his
brother 10 that post, but he himself
has been the man behind the project
Without the aid or counsel of men ex-
perlenced in newspaper circulation de-
partments he secured paid up circu-
iation OF 25, 600 weekly before the first
issue was printed. When it came out
he had almost doubled that number.
His business farsightedness was
demonstrated again in the scheme that
he at once put into operation as soon
as success was assured AS editor of
the paper he draws salary of s., 900
q year. The remainder of the profits of
the enterprise are invested largely
IN Government securities, what he
calls trust fund for his su bscribers.
The purpose of this IS to provide the
paper with an income perman in
its character, SO rs to insure Its life
for an indefinite number of years. In
other words he has provided for the
eternal publication of the Commoner
without any drain upon his other
resources, even If the subscription list
dwlndles to nothing
Thirty five or forty persons are
upon the paper. principally
in its mailing room. He has no
printing plant. His type is set IN
another Office and the paper printed at
still another.
The Commoner plant was put upon
the tax roll by himself as valued at
IS. 900.
When Mr.. Bryan was first elected to
Congress he was earning scarcely So,
100 year as lawyer. This was
ioing about as well rs the average
practitioner of his age here.
Lincoln bankers now hesitate about
placing an estimate upon MIR. Bryan
wealth. One said that he was easily
worth quarter of million dollars.
Another placed it at $500, 900.
In actual, visible property, less than
rs, 600 ls put to Mr., Brayn's credit.
u this sum the home at Fairview
epresents possibly $50, 900
The mouse is large, substantial brick |
tructure OF twenty-five rooms, stands
n large Knoll, ia the midst of the
Bryan farm. The house was originally
Tanned to COST $4,000. 1t actually
ost, after the usual notifications and
Ranges, nearly twice that sum.
Tie JutbuIdings are OF brick and
epresent pretty sum. The land
self is valuable.
Mr.. Bryan disposed of the downtown
which achieved considers BILE
lctorial tame in his two campaigns,
)me months ago. He parted with
for s., 500 cash to banker.
The money was at once invested in
downtown lot whereupon in the near
iture, q building to house the Com
loner will be erected. His other hold
igs In and about the city are valued
about 81, 900 or IS. 600. Kansas
ity Times.