The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-10
JouRNEY1NGs AMONG THE MAG

AZINEs. JOURNEY x-Philadelphia,
March In this quaint and curious
city, which shows at once its, age and
it's lusty vigor, is still published a
weekly that was founded in what now
seems the far:away time Of OF l12s: It
founder was Benjamin Franklin, then
a young man Of %, and it is an inter
esting fact that just across Arch street
from the office, from which issues week
ly this magazine of entertainment, IN
struction and influence, lies the tomb
of it's founder. The grave is covered
with marble slab, and is on the edge
heart of the city, SO near the sidewalk !
that one passing could touch it with his
hand. were it not for a protecting iron
grating. r.
The stranger in Philadelphia is i'm
pressed with the proximity Of these two
monuments to the great Franklin, the
simple slab on the one hand testlfy1ng
to the mortality of the flesh, the paper
on the other, bearing emphatic, wit
mes to the enduring vitality Of the
idea, the fruit Of the spirit. One turns
| from the marble to the paper with a
| new interest and curiosity, which 90
not lessen with acquaintance with the
editor, George Horace Lorimer:
Even very brief talk with MT: Lor-
liner, coupleu With SUMS toAiilte'A ~
with his papers is sufficient to suggest
striking parallel between his charac-
ter and that Of the founder Of the Post
| T do not remember to have seen the
parallel drawn elsewhere, but il. seems
to me Unsuitable. There is in Mr.. Lori
mer that clearness Of thought and readi-
ness of expression that characterized
Franklin. One notes in each what may
be called habit of brilliant epigram,
of saying much in few words and sea-
soning it with a kindly and sane humor.
There is in Mr.. Lorimer much OF the
same business sagacity that adds SO
greatly to our interest in Franklin.
Then there is a graciousness of bearing
about the present editor of the Post
!: that suggests the diplomatic minister
to France in the days of the revolu-
|. mer has dabbled in science Or not; GER
tainly much of the 'sstuff'' that gets
into the Post by way of his editorial
kitestrings is electric. There is no need
> Of pushing the parallel farther, tho 1t
could be done. It is sufficient that
the present editor of the Saturday Eve
, ming Post has demonstrated his fitness
=. for the position which opportunity has
SO vastly enlarged since the days OF
the youthful Franklin.
MI. Lorimer says that he receives
annually more than $4,000 contribu,
tions. One great trouble Of which he
complains is that so many Of them
even when of high quality, do not fit
. the needs Of his paper. He spoke to me
e of some verses that had been submit it,
). ted. They were clever, pithy, crisp; just
;, the thing for Life, for example, but
: not suited to the Post. Their author
;, had sent them to the wrong place. !
e IL Another mistake writers nlake--th3l
d applies to those in, the VESTS II
e coming to New York once they have
6 succeeded in getting. a few manuscript
d mer's opinion, to sacrifice one of thei
n chief assets-the life to which the,
n have become accustomed, the. life o
~ things they know and can write abou
= intelligently. Mr.. Lorimer came out O.
- the west himself, having been asso
IL but he came in response to a call an
/. with a. definite and attainable purpos
> in view. .-'
ID The office in which Mr.. Lorime
Is works is on the second floor of tn
t, building occupied by the Curtis Put
: seen the little cubby- holes in ,whic
many New York editors work, seem
altogether larger than necessary, 1t
I'd large enough for a drawing room.
l. room. It is plainly furnished with
al view to utility chiefly. tho around tn
ratons used Si IN he Posf Two coils "
III rope near the windows arouse tn
lg curiosity of the visitor. Mr.. Lorime
to says they are for use in case of fir
id not to escape importunate peddlers {
n manuscripts. "a
W of The Ladies' Home Journal, inclu,
en ing, of course, that of Edward Bo
&c se whom I did not get to see, as he W.
OF about to start for Buffalo to attend
patent medicine libel suit in which h
as paper is involved. One of his associate
ng however, told me the. story Of the wa
d It was new to me, and, 7 believe,
not generally kno wn. The Tribu,
Lid Farmer. paper Of which Mr.. Curt
90 head of the company which now pu
nd fishes the Ladies' Home Journal al
the Saturday Evening Post, had take
charge, was printing household su
Ice plement: There came up to the office
be loud call from the women readers
X the many farms to which the Farm
~, went, for the separate issue Of the su
az plement. The call was needed, and t
mt household supplement- went out, at
eehts J Kear PeafB5ng f between ehs mar
IN Of a. home scene, a family about !,
re- evening reading table, and under til
ay the artist had drawn the wo
"Home." Many mistook this for
led part Of the name Of. the paper, al
ath letters kept coming in addressed
ct 'tThe Ladies Home Journal" T
Ter name was appropriate. pleased the pu
hn fishers, and was adopted.
it'll Complaint is sometimes heard tn
ely the Ladies Home Journal while gro
ing in size, grows chiefly in the amou
me Of its advertising. This is a mistal
asst An memorable rule has been made til
las no addition to the size of the magazi
he shall be made for advertising alone.
is the size is increased, reading matt
;s. must be added in the same proporti
-, that rules in the rest of the paper. II
49,, 80. rule, of course, also bars advertise
4s from cutting down the regular spa
lug allotted to reading matter. rs
ny, An interesting spot in the offices
ora this great monthly is the manus6i
essSs' vault. sort of literary wine. or p
srs' served fruit cellar. in which arc. Ike
his awaiting use. accepted manuscripts. &