The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-07-14
GETTING THE NEWS
By FRED c. KELLY

Angus McSween is the big insurgent
Of the writing forces in Washington.
As correspondent for the Philadelphia
North American. McSween nearly
every day in tie week dashes on a
first page story or two. in which he
fills the standpatters as full Of jave-
Inns as Arnold winklereid. One would
imagine from reading a McSween ar
ticle that he goes around the Capitol
wearing swashbuckler clothes and
looking always with grim visage for
some reactionary he can pounce upon
and slay.
The fact is that McSween is one OF
the most mild-mannered as well as
one of the most kindly disposed of
men. When he first broke into the
newspaper business, years ago, he was
fortunate enough to get hold of an
exclusive inside story about a sensa-
tional murder, and he was properly
elated. The story would be a beat"
for his paper. and he would be a great
pet around the Office for a few days.
As press time approached and it be-
came certain that no other paper
would have the story. McSween's en-
thusiasm over his little feat grew and
grew. Then. at the last minute. he
happened to think that ono OF his COM
petitors was a man rather well along
in years. 1t occurred to McSween that
an exclusive story might do him less
good than IL would do his COMPETE
tor harm. So he hunted up the other
fellow and told him the yarn in the
nick of time for him to get most of
1t in the paper. That's the kind OF
chap McSween is. But one day
We're getting now to the tale we start
ed to tell in the first place. When Nc
Sween was working for one of the WASH
ington papers, some years ago. there &C.
CURED in a little Virginia town some
scandalous doings involving 4 preacher
and number Of society women. The
town was close enough to Washington
to make 1t Of interest there. and McSween
was sent there to the scene to get the
facts
On the train he fell In with member
of the congregation. who may be known
as Jones. This man Jones told McSween
all about the affair from the point of
view opposed to the preacher. When he
got to the town. McSween then saw the
preacher and got his side. In that way.
after eliminating contradictory state
ments, he felt that he was in a position
to tell the whole truth without favor or
prejudice
Certain statements in the story. how
ever-some of the things McSween had
learned from the man on the train-were
extremely displeasing to most of the
women OF the congregation. They did not
say the statements were untrue. but were
greatly incensed that McSween saw fit
to publish them.
In the course Of a week McSween again
went to the little town to attend a church
trial and get later developments in the
case, and 1t was then that he learned Of
the displeasure felt toward him in GER
tain quarters.
A chap named Smith. a prominent
of the church concerned, made
the acquaintance OF McSween that day.
him mysteriously.
Just follow me- said Smith, ''and
you'll find out something"
So McSween followed.
Smith led the way toward the railroad
station, and into the baggage room,
which had no windows except up toward
the ceiling. and was lined about the
wall with trunks. As they entered the
place Smith closed the door and locked
/. leaving the key in the door. That
seemed funny to McSween. but there was
still more lOr MIN 10 De stdrtitu Ut, LOT
when he looked about him he found more
han a score of austere-looking women
,laring at him.
One of these stepped forward. with
strides to act as spokeswoman.
She unfolded a newspaper containing Nc
sween's article and asked him IL he wrote
t. He said he had.
There Is one statement here" she went
IN. that reflects on nearly every woman
n our church. Now. we don't think you
made II up. but we want to know who
FOUR informant was. Unless you tell us
where you got your Information. you'll
we'll, you'll have to take the conse- |
luences" At which stage Of her remarks |
The went through business Of producing |
! little whip that she had concealed about |
Ter clothes. And the other women began |
o pull out hatpins and make ready for
conflict.
II was q trying moment for McSveen. |
ocked in . room and entirely surrounded |
" wsmen., There he was, one lone man. |
Except for Smith. who was with the OPP |
sosition. He turned hurt look e Smith. |
rho had entrapped him. Smith grtnned