The Washington herald., 1913-07-15

When the United States battleship fleet
was about to start on it's famous trip to
the Orient a few years ago, news Oh the
itinerary was carefully guarded by gov
eminent officials at Washington. snort
ly before the fleet was TO sail the news
leaked out that an invitation had been
extended by the British government Tor
1t to visit Australia
The State Department was greatly
vexed about this news getting out ana
bestirred itself to renewed Efforts AT Sc
crecy concerning all further particulars.
About that time a rumor went around
that. inasmuch as the fleet was going 10
Australia. II would be a mere step far-
ther to go on to Japan and make real
trip of it. The only question was whether
the japanese government had extended
an invitation for the fleet to make the
visit. All sorts of questions were put up
to the State Department. but the depart
ment lust blinked and said not word.
One bright morning Robert o. Bailey.
of the Associated Press-later an Assist
ant Secretary of the Treasury-met Ei-
mer Murphy, of the New York Tribune
In the State Department, and says he:
Murphy. here's a scheme. VIII you
do the talking?"
..If talking's all / have to do. / can
make good" replied Elmer. but what's
the scheme?"
Bailey told him.
A few moments later Elmer went to the
telephone and called up the Japanese
Embassy Being personally acquainted
with the Ambassador, he was able to get
him to come TO the phone.
(Which japanese port Is the Meet 10
visit?" inquired Elmer. casually. Just as
IL that's what they had been discussing
over their coffee.
"Oh- nothing has heen said about any
particular port,T replied the Ambassador;
''any port"
At that Elmer made his adieus and
hung up Turning to Bailey. of the Asso-
ciated Press, he said, with much quiet
dignity:
"Sir, am able to announce at this time
that the fleet will positively visit Japan
And that was the way the news was
learned.
George NJ. Smith. managing editor OF
the New York Evening Sun, first won
recognition in newspaper world by an
Unborn knack at observation. He was
working as a young reporter on one OF
the Newark, N. j.. papers back In 1884.
when a man by the name of Julius A.
Lebkeucher was Mayor of that town. 1t
was learned that the Mayor was about
to be married. but he wished to have a
quiet wedding and refused to tell when
or where the marriage would take place.
Now the average wedding, even Of a
Mayor, isn't particularly hot stun for a
newspaper, but just because this mayor
was SO secretive about the time and
place, the people of Newark got it into
| their heads that they must know all
about it. Hence it was up to the re-
porters to enlighten the people. One of
young George Smiths assignments was
i O. ha Nav dar try N
inveigle him into telling his secret. The
Mayor wouldn't tell, but Smith did man.
age to learn that the marriage would
probably take place at a certain address
| in Brooklyn. 1t seemed impossible to
learn the appointed day.
Now, the Mayor was a man who
dressed plainly. He always wore a black
cutaway coat, black trousers and a black
necktie. One morning he appeared at his
Office dressed precisely as usual. except
| that the black necktie he wore was
brand new. and his shoes were also new
The change in his garb was so slight
4 that no one noticed 1t except young
Smith. 1t occurred to Smith that the
\ new shoes and new necktie might indi.
cate that 1t was the Mayors wedding
| day. Without saying anything of his
suspicions. he took a chance and FASTENED
4 over to, the address in Brooklyb where
the wedding was expected to take place
There he found great activity about thS
| house. and he knew his guess was right
The story he landed was not of much
/ consequence in itself. but It served ts
call to the attention Of Smiths boss the
young mans power Of close observation
and 1t was not long until Smith was able
to make real capital Of IT.
1t was through . ''hunch" Matched by
Il n ~