Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-10
HOW TO TREAT A REPORTER
Why shouldn't the Public be
schooIed as 90 the News Seek
er'H RiRhtsf

One Of the leading reporters In this city,
writes Victor Smith in the New York Press,
was introduced to a Wall street broker, q
man Of no considerable consequence, but
much pulled up with his success as an
eighths-a quarters go-between. The in
PRODUCER had neglected to mention that he
was a reporter and the conversation was
general. Later on the identity of the
gentleman was exposed, whereupon the
broker threw up his hands, exclaiming:
Good God! A reporter! I'm ruined. Why
didn't you say so before you introduced
him?" The situation was slightly strained.
The reporter said quietly: Don't let that
worry you. In the hrst place. l am not here
for news, ideas or suggestions. In the sec
ond, what you know is not worth publish
ing. In the third, nobody outside OF this
oflce ever heard Of you; therefore, what
you might say would be Of no newspaper
interest. In the fourth, l carry more Wall
street secrets in my memory than you ever
dreamed of-secrets Of big men and great
institutions. You are perfectly safe. Good
morning"
In less than two months that broker,
frightened so badly, sent a friend to the re-
porter, begging him to mention an AFFAIR
In which he personally was deeply inter-
ested. He is one Of a numerous class at
fecting to be holier than reporters until
needing a write-up, then groveling. sucs
cessful men In public life, almost without
exception, rely upon the reporter as a step
ping stone to high office. They will take
him Into their confidence, steer him safely
between the devil and the deep sea, help
him to earn his salary by loading him I'D
with news, and incidentally prosper their
own cause. A combination of reporters
could ruin any man in this country. own
aEg - $685.
editors and city editors cannot possibly get
In so close touch with the average man as
can the reporters, the office representa-
tives, whom they send out to hunt for facts
in the market place, the palace, the howell,
the prison, the church, the wide. wide
world.
l should like to propose a high school
for the education Of all men on the sub
ject of How to Treat a Reporter" It
would end all friction. Let the public
hrst understand that the reporter is
bound to have the news at all risks. II
he cannot get 1t at first hand he will take
1t at second, or third or tenth. He is not
going back to his editor with a hangdog
look and say he has failed. Neveri He
viii fake hrst-and take chances OF being
caught or indicated. On reputable pa-
pers, II caught taking, he soon loses his
Job. No reporter In his right senses wants
10 fake. He wants the truth every time.
Then why hide #? Why insult him? Why
increase his labors a thousand old? Why
keep him out on the still hunt at night
when by treating him in a common sensi-
BILE manner you could set him right in a
second and have early copy for the com
posing room?
Many persons look down on reporters
as II they were inferior creatures. They
forget that ninety nine times in one hun
dred the newsgatherers are OF higher caste
than those from whom they seek informa-
ton. Reporters are not looking for anv-
thing good about people, for the public
would never stop to read II. They want
all the bad about men and women they
can dig out. and it is the bad things about
bad people that make the newspapers in
teresting. Through long mingling with the
evil classes reporters become contaminated
and 1t must not be wondered at IL tberf
should be an occasional fall from grace.
do not know any reporters who are angels
and l do know some who are devils with
painted wings, but take them all In all. the,
are the best set OF fellows in the world
working like mad for their EMPLOYERS
spending literally. living merrily and eve,
eager to do a favor and forget It.