The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-29


son. OF the Louisville Courier-Journal,
was given a fine reception when he spoke
at a meeting held in hts honor at the
Press Club here tonight.
Among those VINO looked after him and
saw to Il that the orchestra didn't for
get to play My Old Kentucky Home"
and tear lose with Dixie" at appropriate
moments were Frank l. Cobb, of the New
York World. who was postmaster: Fred
Duneka, Of the Harper publications;
James Creelman, John :. Mcdonald, who
many years ago recommended Holland
gin TO Col. Watterson as the best pos
sible cure for cold in the head; Irwin
Cobb. the jester; Robert II. Lyman, Don
Seitz. and Cartoonist Charles r. Mac
Cauley
The guests Of honor, besides Col. Wat
terson. were Congressman William Sui
Ter and Brig Gen. Walter Howe, com
handing the Department Of the East
Proud of His Calling.
Col Watterson began his speech as fol-
lows.
Il was born next door 10 print shop.
and last I have filed every newspaper
function from galley boy to leader-writer.
I am proud of my calling and jealous of
its good name. Until I gave up all
around. all-night work, l was never so
happy as toward the wee sma' hours.
WREN. the boys about me, wires were
flashing and feet were hurryinE. and the
presses were beginning 90 thunder below.
Now that l no longer see the paper 70
press. It rejoices me TO find myself still
surrounded by the boys-the boys in the
trenches-and TO recall the old days and
nights. and. in fancy 10 believe that
there's life in the old man yet,
Not one Of you has walked these
streets In search of work more wistfully.
and some times more despairingly than I
have. I remember once seeing young James
Gordon Bennett through a window of the
old Herald office down about the corner
Of Broadway and Fulton street, and of
murmuring with John Leech's ragged
urchin, looking upon a little boy i'm "A
London home. eating plum pudding,
Wouldn't il be bully TO be him?' Just
hfty-two years ago Mr.. Dana. then on
the Tribune paid me 50 for a bit Of what
would be called space writing now. and
ten years later, when we had come TO be.
as it were. professional colleagues. he
was pleased TO be reminded Of the cir
cumstance, and from that hour TO the
day or his death. was my most excellent
friend and comrade.
Thinks He Knows News.
II beg you will not be alarmed am
not going TO weary you with the rcminis-
Genital, nor set up for school-master.
Stin less is il my purpose to deliver Il
lecture on journalism. I think I know
what news IS and how 70 prepare il
equally for the tea table and the break
fast table Like vctuals. # may be
served hot and savory. or raw and UNI
savory, be brought on plain. or be dress
ed and decorated, 10 suit the every vary
ing public taste. There is in this. as in
cooking, an art fine. rudy murder
like a fair round of beef, may be ruined
IN the roasting. and a scandal fat and
Juicy. blond and frowsy. wholly spoiled
by q hgUrative excess OF oil and garlic
A skillfUl chef can take a few scraps and
tabricate a dish 10 delight a gourmet. So
deft reporter can put this and that to-
gether and piece a story 10 set the town
attacking In both cases. however there
must be the basis Of essential fact. II is
given to no man to make a silk purse out
or sOw's ear; to no cook TO render a
saute out OF sawdust and bootheels: TO
10 reporter 20 turn SCOOP out of lie.
Il was engaged as general utility man
upon an afternoon paper i'm Washington
city. Each morning there was laid upon
my desk the New York Evening Post
and the New York Evening Express
of the preceding afternoon. A part Of
my business was with pencil, paste. and
scissors to riddle the contents of those
two Interesting sheets. For better at
traction. I adopted the form Of a daily
New York letter. Having no IeE-worlS
10 do and fresh from my early coffee.
with the Post and Express before me.
knowing all the local points and people.
nothing was easier than the filling Of
an apt column or two, with a New York
date line. / fairly reveled in my artistic
fraudulency. II was so disguised in