The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-29

on an idea and draw it in such a way
that the average citizen, on the following
morning. will turn form his breakfast at
the first glance to take up his newspaper
| with both hands.
'Oh, 1 had forgotten my elephant"
Mr. Rogers added Il don't want to give
my scrapbooks all the credit, such as il
is. I have had many an idea from this
little fellow"
He picked UP a plaster cast of an ele-
plant by Bayre, considerably battered.
| and gazed at it, one could imagine fond
ly.
Yes. this little fellow has often been
a downright Inspiration Mr.. Rogers
held it up for inspection.
Its a wonderful BIT of modelling, YOU
see, to begin with he went on, land il
look at 1t from various points of view
it seems to suggest u variety of styles OF
locomotion. often when I've been in
doubt as to the best way to express some
particular policy Of the republican party
! have to look at my elephant until he
seems to march off with some trick of
carriage or some new kick in his gallop.
which I have merely to draw and l have
my cartoon"
This particular little elephant has
done valiant service in scores of exciting
campaigns. Sometimes he has started out
doubtfully to finish in triumph. Again.
he has opened the campaign trsmpeting
with trunk in air to close it with his
tail between his legs, but it has always
been the same elephant"
do you draw your men ever at equally
close range, Mr.. Rogers?'
why, yes; / find l have TO. I mean to
say that at one time or another 1 have
made studies from life OF practically all
the principal figures in our political life.
I have put in a good deal of time in
Washington, for instance, and at the
political conventions. The amazing part
of it is that they submit to my carica-
lures with such good grace I presume
it's the good nature inherent in the Ameri-
can character.
Il recall a protest which bears out this
theory. I had been lunching with Speaker
Reed and throughout an hours CONVEX
sation he made no mention of my work
and l am afraid he had much to forgive
until we parted, when he said with per-
feet good nature:-"Rogers. 1 wish some
day when you have made a cartoon Of
me you would send it to me. I would
like TO see what your ideal OF manly
beauty is"
How much in earnest are you allowed
to be in your work?' brazenly asked the
interviewer.
Il mean what I draw said Mr.. Rogers
with conviction. Il could not work ef-
fectively otherwise. ! mean that I rarely
present idea in direct negation of my
own convictions. My conscience in the
matter may seem elastic TO some, but my
cartoons now for years have always ex-
pressed along broad lines my own point
of view. In politics l am a-but 1 must
leave that to you. My cartoons must
speak for themselves"
At this point the unfinished cartoon on
the drawing board caught Mr.. Rogers
eye. but he mastered his impatience
The interview seems to be all wrong
end foremost" the visitor remarked, after
further conversation. we have forgot
ten your age, birthplace and education"
Mr.. Rogers parted the questions with
deprecatory gesture. Il am afraid it is
much too egotistical already" he said
There's really nothing worth the telling
about myself. Let me see; how are ques-
am an American, native born; birthplace.
Springfield, Ohio; age. forty-eight; mar
ried; present residence. New York. upper
west side. You see I'm from Ohio. where
most of them come from. When 1 was
boy
To the CONSERVATION of both the deep
note of the bell on the Herald Building,
to the strokes of the bronze
figures suddenly filled the neighborhood. |
At the fifth stroke the interviewer, re-
calling an earlier stage of the interview, |
rose Professionally. The cartoon for the |
next day lay scarcely begun. Mr. Rogers |
protested politely. A sixth stroke of the |
bell set the interviewer in full retreat |
and Mr.. Rogers turned. with what ankle |
ty may be imagined. but with victorious |
good nature, to his belated CARTOON |
New York Herald.