Gilpin observer., 1906-04-12
Journalism in
y the Laboratory


West have perhaps been over-bold in
experimenting with newspaper-mak-
iag. The University of Kansas has es-
tablished department of Journalism,
and at the University of Chicago, Pro-
fessor George Z. Vincent has con-
Quoted for three years course entitled
1.-THE History and Organization of the
American Press" AT both places prac-
teal newspaper workers have been
engaged to explain the details of ac-
iual dayto-day writing, editing. and
printing. At Chicago. Professor VIM
cents class was set to work last spring
to issue four-page morning newspa-
per. This laboratory experiment he
describes in the American Journal of
Sociology. 1t was doubtless an inter-
esting excursion into the practical. but
ne suspect that it gave the students
an exaggerated notion of the import
ance of the technique of journalism.
The theory that the only way to be-
come newspaper writer is to write for
the newspapers, is sound. but we doubt
if Professor Vincent's Daily Times sup
piled a real test.
Merely as an experiment, however.
the paper produced by the Chicago
students is worth notice. 1t was writ
ten and "set up" between nine o'clock
In the morning of June 6 and one
o'clock in the morning of June Z. The
editor of the college daily acted as
rnanaging editor, a student employe
Vt the Associated Press as telegraph
sdltor, and TWO student reporters as
sews and city editors. Its staff num-
bered forty, and was divided among
the usual departments. From five
o'clock in the afternoon until the ex-
pertinent ended the plant of the Chi
cago Evening Journal was turned over
20 the students. The various news as
sociations furnished copy" and the
morning journals allowed the report
ers of the Daily Times to go out with
their own men on assignments. Moth
ing could be more favorable for a
trial. especially rs one rehearsal"
was had.
Professor Vincent's verdict upon the
Daily Times, which was actually sent
% press but five minutes late. is that
1t was "on the whole a success" 1t
lid not attempt innovations. merely
striving to print the days news in
clean. attractive form. Its front page.
he says, corresponded closely, so far
is the choice of news went. with those
of the Chicago morning papers. 1t
erred only in giving to the account
Of the marriage of Emperor Williams
son place on the first page with this
equivocal headline, "Oldest Son of
Emperor and Duchess Cecilia Married
Yesterday" AS it turned out, the
ovening papers of June 6 had "cov-
sred' the Prussian wedding 60 thor
uughly that it was bad newspaper
judgment to feature" it on the morn
Ing of June Z. A number of "gradu-
economics" wrote the editorials. Such
weighty matters were discussed as the
future of English diplomacy, Nthe
! changes in President Roosevelt's Cab
lhet. democracy in unionism, and "two
kinds of reformers." The news that
came in ON June 6 called for three ad-
ditional editorials on Enhance and
publicity" admiral Enquis. and His
Cruises," and "A New Theatrical Con-
science" If all these matters were
touched upon with the pen of author
ity, Professor Vincent was justified in
exulting over the editorial page. In
our opinion, the enterprise of the tele-
graph editor in turning number of
'tems concerning Government affairs
into specia! correspondents Washing
ton letter should not pass unnoticed.
AS Professor Vincent says in apology
What are principles and policies in a
crisis such as this PIT was midnight
when the letter was manufactured.
The experiment strikes one as bit
of exciting fun 'or Professor Vincent's
class, merely illustrating again what
every newspaper man of experience
knows-that the technique of journal
ism is an inhnitesimal part of the
equipment of a journalist. Headlines
and the makeup" of the page, the
mysteries of linotype operation. and
! or the stereotyping room, the "lingo"
Of the newspaper ofiice-these are
things that the alert young reporter in
an office will pick up quite as soon
as he will need to know them. More
10 the point was the paper read be-
fore the class in journalism at the
Kansas State University a few days
ago by former Topeka legislative re-
porter for a Kansas City newspaper
After an experience of nearly twenty
years, this man declared that the es-
sentials of successful newspaper man
are "a receptive mind and willing
legs The ability to write he subordi-
mated. saying that in the school OF the
editorial blue pencil the plain recital
OF fact will Soon come to be inevitable
Get out among people. he advised the
young men ambitious to become great
journalists. Remember that it is the
mind that makes the man, and IL you
DOSseSs n npwsnnner mind all tho aorth