Evening star., 1913-11-28
CIearest, Most Concise, Most
Interesting, Says Pro-
feSSOr of Journalism.
F. w. BECKMAN OF IOWA
COLLEGE LAUDS WRITERS
Prof. Jastrow of Wisconsin Univer'
sity Would Prevent Cruelty to
English Language, However.

newspaper style. which is becoming more
and more essential in the equipment oil
every successful writer. is the clearest'
most concise and most interesting style
in which things can be written, declared
Prof. f. w Beckman of the department
of Journalism of Iowa State College to-
day in addressing the professors OF jour
nalisrn of eighteen colleges and UNIVERSE
ties gathered here for the second meet
ing of the American conference of steach-
ers of Journalism.
'The news sense, the ability to see
what is news and its news meaning TO
the great mass of humanity Is necessary
To men in every field of endeavor, but
especially TO men who write.
1T is the news sense which enables
the writer to see through mass or non
essentials, through dead rubbish TO living
facts. through husks and snens 10 .ile
kernels of truth continued the speaker.
1T is the news sense that gives the
writer understanding of and sympathy
with common activities of men so that ne
can find what will interest them
News Style Most Efficient.
With all its faults. | still believe in
the news style as the most efficient style
of this modern day for presenting in
formation through the written word 1t
has been hammered out in the heat and
stress of newspaper work to meet the
demands of the millions for something to
compel their attention, interest them and
give them information In the quickest.
clearest way possible.
The news writer comes fresh from
tbe things he writes and puts the
energy and life, or il may be the joy
or sorrow, of what he has Just seen or
heard into the living, breathing words
of his story.
There is vital living quality in
news writing that demands attention
and grips interest. This style is more
widely used than any other, 1t is of
the people, and for them. and it has
come through years to have a value
that cannot be denied.
The ranks of present-day literary
successes are filled with men and
women who had their training in the
newspaper office, The demands of edi-
tors and publishers everywhere is for
matter written in the same clear. con-
else. interesting way that has made the
American newspaper the most readable
publication printed. either today or in
any time.
Prof James Melvin Lee of New York
University discussed instruction in ad-
vertising. circulation matters and other
phases Of the newspaper in connection
with college courses in journalism.
Would Fine Violators.
CHICAGO, November 2S.-Prof Joseph
Jastrow of the University of Wisconsin,
speaking here today before the National
Council OF Teachers of English, referred
10 the possibility of a society for the
prevention of cruelty to the English Ian
guage. Prof. Jastrow told the result of
inquiry as to what would be the out
come If fifty Objectionable expressions
caught in ordinary conversation were
tined such amounts varying from ! cent
to 81 as seemed fit punishment for
each separate offense, according to the
pain inflicted on the hearer. The judges.
sixty-eight in number. included twelve
women. Half of the sixty-eght reside
east of the Alleghenies. Among the
judges were college professors. leading
editors and readers for prominent pub
fishing houses.
An average fine of nearly AZ cents for
each offense was the outcome. Prof.
Jastrow suggested that the revenues
from enforcement of the fines against
violations OF good English would make
substantial fund TO be distributed in
prizes by a society of cruelty 10 English
speech,
What prompted Prof Jastrow's unique
inquiry was q study of linguistic sensi-
bilitv a field for the determination CT
the variety Of factors of judging process.
Newspaper Powerful Influence.
igan. whose topic was The Underlined
Gate" asked: "Of what use is it to drill
in grammar. TO sweat over compositions
70 spend month after month in the read
ing and study of English masterpieces il
steadily day by day some powerful dis
integrating agency nullifies all that We
have accomplished
Not even the Bible. Prof Scott said
could now compete with the daily news
paper as the most powerful and most
persuasive influence OF our day and
nation. Accordingly. Prof. Scott urged
that the language well as the spirit
OF the newspaper should be the equal OF
that required of any other daily visitor
10 the daily circle. He said slang col
loquialisms, indiscriminate use of words
violations of grammar and style the
split initiative, the dangling participle
the abuse of ''transpire." ''inaugurate'
and "enthuse" could be corrected anC
ne pleaded against violations OF the prin-
ciples of good writing and for the en-
ployment OF amenity, truth sincerity anC
self-reStraint
IL was suggested by Prof Scott that il
every high school Junior and senior yea
definite time. say a week. be set apart
Tor instruction in regard TO the news
paper. The time TO be known news
paper week.