Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-02-07

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All harris wants out of reform page
IS 70 adyertise the paper. I'm almost
sure of. it,
probably" said Barton dryly. "At
the same time you can be getting in
your reform work through paper
that IS read by the very people YOU
| want to help"
But 1t. is not read nor believed in by
the very people who have it in their
power to help the people. David, the
pest people in the city don't care for
the News. They laugh at it's editorials
and don't care for its influence 1t real
~ has no influence with thcm.'
FOR the first time David Barton
seemed disturbed. The frank Criticism
of his friend concerning the News in
respect to it's printed matter had m,
moved him. But this last statement
touched tender spot. Rulton's pale
cheeks flushed. and he Struck the table
With his clincheu fist.
Better not tell Harris that, lie has
, an idea that his paper runs the town.
lie thinks his editorials make public
sentiment"
Hes wrong" John Gordon smoke
decidedly. Ills editorials have no such
power. They are rated along with tn.
rest OF the paper. The fact is the vel
low. Journalism works oct it's own de-
struction inevitably. Its days are al
ready numlcrc,.''>
Our circulation is iNcrcaSiny."
All the bigger fail When it comes"
replied John Gordon briefly. and thea
they We're both startled by a voice frcn
the doorway OF the room adjoining
Beg PARTON. E:orton couldn't make
you hear, though l knocked twice."
Barton turned his head as Il man
came into the room and cXclailpcl, M.
Iarris.'' at the same time sending a
questioning flash to Gordon, "Wondcr
how much he hraru:'
harris walked UP to the table and
coolly helped himself to 4 cigar from Il
little Chinese pot and lighted it at the
cigar jet
MI. John Gordon. Mr.. Uarris," said
Barton, who had fully recovered his
usual indifferent attitude by this time.
Glad to meet you, Mr. Gordon,"
said liarris, putting out /; very long
white hand. John Gordon took it, al
though instantly he felt a most intense
dislike for the man.
He was of a thin. wiry physique,
smooth faced. Il bloodless complexion,
straight lips and cold gray eyes. His
manner was perfectly self possessed,
and neither Gordon nor Barton could
detect any sign On his face that he had
overheard Il syllable of their talk be-
fore he entered. He was faultlessly
dressed and had the general appear
ance of Il man who has exhausted a
large part of his interest in life on ac-
count of large number of intense ex-
periencCs. At the same time there was
q serious alertness about him that was
very noticeable. He was not blase in
the ordinary use of that word. He evil
IDENTIFY had boundless faith in himself.
John Gordon had no difficulty in telling
why the man produced such dislike
in him. 1t was because of his absolute
tegotism. .r
"Mr. Gordon is my friend: the one
I mentioned to you the other day as
possible contributor in a new depart
ment," Barton said as Harris still re-
manned standing near the table
Harris. looked at Gordon and said
carelessly:
81 understand you are going to ex-
pertinent down in the slums around
Bowen street."
81 may live there. l don't know
about experimenting" said John Cor
don coldly. He was rapidly beginning
to have Miss Andrews dislike of the
word ''slums" rs he had already grown
to have a hatred Of the idea Of "eXpcr-
imenting' with the people.
Harris walked over to a chair at the
other end of the table, and after a ST
lence which neither Barton nor Gordon
seemed inclined to break be said, lean
ing little forward and speaking with
careful emphasis:
"Mr. Gordon, am prepared to make
you Il proposition that hope you will
at least thoushtfully consider. The
News now has circulation Of 100000
copies day. That means that practi-
cally 100000 people read it. At least
half the population of the city read my
paper. 1t is especially true of the
workingmen, the poor and the people
of the street and the shop: The boule
ward may not take the News Grant
3D."
Gordon. looking at the newspaper
owner, thought he could detect just
shadow of resentment under the ap-
parent Indifference. "But the slum
, takes it and reads. I'd rather have the
slum reader any time. The boulevard
does not make anything but itself, but
i the Stun makes conditions. Now, then,
this is, my propositions: will give you
the entire control of a page Of the
News to write up the conditions Of the
city where you expect to live or work.
May ask where? Mr. Barton has not
Informed me-"
81 expect to live as a resident in
Hope House."
"Goodv' Harris exclaimed with an
eagerness that was un1ns stakable.
"You couldn't do better. Hiss An
drews of course has made her work
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