The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-07-27
MAGAZINE METHODS OF TO-DAY.
How the Great Monthlies OF New
York Plan and Safeguard Their
Important Articles.


At women's club gathering in
Mississippi, recently, Harris Dickson
told his audience something about an
article of his that had recently ap-
peared in "Everybody's." He explain
ed that a manuscript written by an
other man had been sent him to put
In shape. The facts were there, and
the moral, but the treatment was
technical. 1t lacked carrying power.
Dickson knew nothing Of the other
author. and so proceeded to get the
subject at first hand. He took not
one of the facts for granted. After
three months he returned the revised
manuscript to the magazine. 1t was
sent back, with specific directions for
rewriting. In due course he again
remailed 1t to the editor, who con-
graduated him on his achievement
for that is what 1t was. Then the
article. having attained satisfactory
form CIT was ON Fraternal Insur-
ance), was sent round among the ex-
perts. The first man woh read II was
high official Of one of the old line
insurance companies, but a hearty
believer In the fraternal system. He
returned 1t with approval and elab-
crate criticism. Then 1t was submit
ted to the chief insurance commits
sioner Of western State--the un-
doubted political authority on the
subject. The approval and criticisms
of both men, with the manuscript,
were again forwarded 70 Mr.. Dick
son. The necessary corrections hav-
Ing been Incorporated. the manu-
script was ready for the printer. To
make assurance doubly sure, proofs
were sent out u prominent officials
Of leading frotornal organiza ions,
who returned them with most COM
mandatory letters. And then. and
only then, did it appear IN the maga-
zine.
Mr.. Dickson's audience, doubtless
under the impression that magazines
are produced by editors out Of the
contributions sent them by mail, ex-
pressed surprise that so much time,
effort, and money should be devoted
to what seemed a comparatively un-
N % tx,x,
matter that concerned five million
men and their families, and a tre-
mendous controversy. It's appear
ance has made the controversy even
keener. and of course the enemies Of
sanity and good order In fraternalism
are now hurting bolts at u.s. How
ever. when we have done our rart
and know we are right, we stay Iut.
Mr.. Dickson told part Of what to
us is a familiar story. In this in
stance he knew nothing of the time
and trouble the author and ourselves
had taken just to get together the
facts and place them In the right per-
SpectiNe. we began on this particu-
lar article in November, 1906, and
during the interval 1t was being
worked at or over by one Of some
dozen men. The same is true Of most
of our big series. 1.-The Woman's In
vasion" represented two and a half
years of work. Fifteen months elaps-
ed between the delivery of Judge
Lindsey's first manuscript and the
beginning of publication in the maga-
zine. Trained writer's, the best men
we know about. are out investigating
and gathering the facts tor the ar
ticles we will print year hence. This
Is the process Of magazine making to-
day. IL Is not peculiar to Every
bodys'; 1t is the rule with Golfers. +"
"McClure's," the American" and
Success. s."-Everybody's Magazine for
August.