The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-29

ly small share, $4,000 salary as editor
and publisher, but it is explained that
a certain portion of the profits, big
one, is put away annually to swell a
retiring fund This fund is designed
to meet any emergency which might
call for a suspension of publication.
For instance, if Mr.. Bryan is elect
ed to the presidency the probability is
that the Commoner would pass out of
existence, in which event the retiring
fund would settle all obligations and
provide for the employees who now de-
pend upon the Commoner for a living.
Varying estimates place the amount of
this fund at from $4,000 to 100000"
A newspaper writer recently esti-
mated Mr.. Bryan's earnings from the
Commoner alone at about 100000, and
the publisher. who is said to have been
deeply annoyed, prepared to make pub
lie a full schedule of his income and
fortune, but friends persuaded him not
to do so.
He Is Worth $4,000.
1t is estimated, however, that the
publisher of the Commoner estimates
his wealth to include the following
items House. $4,000: farm land, S.
600; u S. bonds, $4,000; investments,
$4,000, and insurance, close to maturi-
ty, which will bring the total to $751;
900.
In addition to the $4,000 salary which
Mr.. Bryan draws from his paper he
earns money by, working for other
periodicals and by lecturing for which
he gets on an average about $3.50.
In January of each year every per-
son. man. woman, boy or girl, on the
Commoner's payroll joins in the paper S
anniversary celebration, which function
usually is held at Mr.. Bryan's home
and is regarded in Lincoln as being
| the gayest night of the year. In
, addition. the Commoner gives picnic
every summer. The girls furnish the
| luncheon and the management sup
| plies the special train and the ice
cream. Mr.. Bryan always goes along
and plays first base in the ball game
! between the editorial and the business
office.
The fact that Mr.. Bryan is himself
a publisher and therefore is familiar
with the necessities and demands of
| the newspaper correspondent, is evil
denced by the arrangement made at
FairvieW for the comfort and convent
ence of newspaper writer's who have
been attracted to Lincoln and Fair
view by the Bryan denomination.
| large tent has been erected on the
| Fairview rounds to be used as mead
| quarters for these correspondents and
| they find it highly advantageous. This
| is one of the innovations which Mr..
Bryan has perfected through his able
| secretary. Robert F. Rose. Mr.. Rose
| was the Associated Press correspond
| ent assigned to cover Mr.. Bryan's first
campaign. After that battle he be-
came secretary to the publisher of the
| Commoner Now he is on the job at
| Fairview doing the heavy work Mr..
Rose himself occupies small tent I'M
mediately in the rear of the Bryan
residence, where he sleeps with his
boots on Mr.. Bryan is unquestion-
ably the leading citizen of Lincoln and
probably the leading citizen or Ne
| frennpnt1v alSO
honored with the title of the leading
private citizen of the United States.
| Although Lincoln does not always vote
| for him fer president yet it honors
him greatly and he is substantial
mart of its community. His newspa-
per is operated on thoroughly bust
/ nesslike lines. and yet its organization
| is highly ideal-Hendick.