The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-02-01

same but slightly lesser measure the
names of committees, delegates, al
ternates, etc. command space by their
value to the public Next in import.
aRce is some new plan or work taken
UP, some phase not heretofore con-
nected with the organization, the hon,
oring OF some member at the meeting.
You often hear people say that
newspapers are always trying to print
sensational things about their best
people and to break up homes
Reporters do not break up homes
If they can help it-sometimes the
publishing of facts becomes an actual
necessity. For instance l remember
g case of young man, son of one of
the influential families in a nearby
town who got into bad company and
was caught breaking into a store with
gang of petty thieves. His family
wanted the story suppressed The
paper refused for that editor claimed
that more boys are kept from crime
by fear of exposure than for any 9th
er reason. The city editor incurred
the life long hatred OF the father of
the boy. He could not see the moral
point of view.
And here is where / want to make
plea for the young reporter just
starting out. l know women who
spend long hours trying to earn a
little money to send to far off coun-
tries to educate some Oriental lad and
yet refuse to give word OF help to
the young boy who approaches at the
depot and asks in petite manner
where are you going?" I want to
tell you that the new reporter is tried
cut Oh what is known as the depot
run. That is his first lesson in journ-
alism and he gets his establishment
quick have seen women snippy and
uncivH to these young boys and my
neart has ached for them. The boy
is being tested. If he brings back
enough items to warrant his expendi-
ture of time he is retained-if he does
not he isn't even asked why. Ex-
cuses don't count ia newspaper work.
Just few rebuffs and the boy who
may have it in him to make scin-
tillating writer has lost his chance,
perhaps lost his nerve and you have
helped to push him off the ladder
when his foot was on the first round.
It is because the average woman
doesn't understand that she is SO
heartless in this Then like the awk-
ward boy in dancing school whom the
girls can't refuse because he might
turn out to be the best dancer-this
cub reporter might turn out to be a
genius in the profession and we don't
forget the frst hard knocks.
So In conclusion | would say: Get
close to your paper. 1t is your near
est neighbor who comes every day 70
your home bringing news of the
world. Don't just be business ac-
auaintance and pay the collectors but
be- a friend OF the people who make
the sheet. If you have grievance go
TO those of the department and tell
them frankly OF 1t instead of telling
vour friends Chances are they Will
more than appreciate. And In times
az trouble or times of Joy your paper
will stand by you because 1t must
depend on its friends. No other place
does the investment OF a little friend
ship bring such big dividends.
To conclude without word about
the mechanical department of news
napep would be disloyal and any news
napcr talk would be incomplete with
ont It. Upon the intelligent COM
nositor depends often the making or
breaking Of story l remember be-
inc sent some years ago to interview
Ellen NJ stone, the returned mission
arr. Who was visiting in Moline short
IL after her terrible experience as q
captiye In Macedonia. She was leav-
,ny the house to enter q waiting car
riapa and ali | could get was few
words OF greeting as she hurried
- go