New-York tribune., 1907-11-24
BUSY JOSEPH PULITZER
UOrk Is His Medicine and He
Takes Big Doses.


Joseph Pulitzer, owner OF The New York
World" nearly always has some members ~
his editorial or business staff with him IN adj
dition to his personal staff and ALWAYS fs hs
working. Even when he is apparently seeking
only amusement he is working Or as one who
knows him intimately expressed it: when a
fact is brought to Mr.. Pulitzer from history or
essay romance or poem, ancient and modern
his instant thought is: How can this be used
for my newspaper? Likewise any current
event related to him provokes tho instant
thought; What shall do with this In my news
paper?'
When the heads of departments were gathered
to celebrate his sixtieth birthday, MI Pulitzer
sent one of his remarkable cable messages in
which he announced his retirement from active
direction of his newspapers. Every paper in
New York printed this announcement except
one-"The World" His editors knew he could
more give up work than he could live with
out breathing Mr.. Pulitzer was furious over
his employees refusing to take his announcements
seriously. but he was very careful not to inquire
who was responsible.
When Mr. Pulitzer announced his retirement
he said he would turn the burden over 10
Ralph. his eldest son, who married a daughter
of w Seward Webb. The second son. Joseph.
is with THE St. Louis Post Dispatch" and
there is another son. not yet out of knickeT-
bockers. besides three daughters
Mr.. Pulitzer has Of the most expensive
households in America. He has mansion
in East 73d street. New York; a fine estate
at Bar Harbor and another country place
Jekyl Island off the Georgia coast. Also he
usually has two three places abroad under
lease and now ne is building Il ,JOO-tou steam
yacht that will add 100000 a year 70 his ex-
penditures y very large part Of this annual
go might prOuprly be "a rcrnJ 10 His
papers. for the one thought in the mind of the
man is how to increase his capacity for work.
His blindness makes it necessary for him 70
have large personal staf. No man KEEPS
more closely in touch with what is going on il
the world, and all the information must coma
to him by word of mouth. He cannot read; he
cannot distinguish the faces of those about
him. He only Iisten-and think.
OF his homes he likes Bar HarbOr best and
often remains there long after tho winter snow
is on the ground. The bracing air is what ap-
peals TO him moSt-that and the quiet
In summer time he rises early and il ths
weather be fine he breakfasts on his own pri-
vate veranda with his physician and companion.
who tells him the important events in the days
news. Then comes eShaustng business ses-
sion with his private secretary. which usually
lasts two hours. Then becoming weary and
needing the air and sunshine, which he can
feel if not see he goes forth 10 drive or to ride
in an electric launch. ever bidding the bOatman
TO head into the breeze. He draws deep bTeaths
and gives himself up TO relaxation for perhaps
ten minutes. Then he is ready TO work with
his newspaper secretary, who has been going
over the newspapers since early morning, digest
ing not only THE World but its ContempO-
raries. Sometimes he has visitor from TIA
office maybe the chief editorial writer tho
managing editor or q reporter
This session usually lasts about two hours.
and then Mr.. Pulitzer is ready for luncheon
with the family. II the newspaper secretary or
visitor from the office Is new, feeling somewhat
abashed by the score of people at table ard
being in the presence of his employer and IS
therefore inclined to observe the childish in
Junction about being seen rather than heard.
MI Pulitzer will probably turn 10 him and say
Why don't you talk? i like people about me
who talk great deal. who laugh and are cheer
Iul. like them to chatter. even if they can't
0e wise or witty 1t is the cry OF who
lives in perpetual twilight
he has curious, almost malicious. delight
IN disconcerting new victim at table with
his sharp verbal thrtlsts; but. if ha gives no
consideration. he asks none. If his visitor from
the office has the courage and wit TO retort
effectively, Mr. Pulitzer is really pleased. Ha
plays the game fairly If an employe will per-
nit II, Mr.. Pulitzer will bully him ,outrageously
and scorn him ever after. He likes the men
who stand up and fight him and fight hard for
the Things they believe in. He will admit iul-
mediate defeat by silence. But few people get
the better OF him in the long run. There aTs
strange, subtle Oriental twists in his mind
After luncheon he may have his literary secre-
tary read to him for while, or he may ask
for music.
He takes nap in the middle of the day. and
then ne Is ready for his horseback ride and
often walk as we'll In his encourage is always
q professional pianist. usually a German. be-
cause the great journalist likes TO converse in
ms native language and to hear ID read. The
pianist at present is sOloist of distinction who
has appeared in the Metropolitan Opera HOuss
Sunday concerts. After two hours of music Mr.
Pulitzer has one of his stan read to him. usually
a novel. until he is ready to sleep.
This. with few variations. Is his day When
IN New York he rides through Central Park
early in the morning. but the hours are even
more crowded with work He completely tires
out every one of his men who Is associated with
him. Also, he keeps them busy when they ara
away from him. His own capacity for work
is so enormous that he thinks the tasks that
would be play for him equally easy for
others His attitude is like the farmer, vhor
after squint at the weather. remarked 20 his
hired man:
Looks like rain to-day John. Better knoeS
or work and saw wood Hartley Davis. In ths
Broadway Magazine