Evening journal., 1913-01-25
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Story Of an Interview
With James R. Keen
BY Holland.

Tho late James R. Keene would
have gained high success as an edi-
tcrial writer provided his duty re-
quired only two or three editorials
week Before Mr.. Keene gained his
first fortune he was, for time
newspaper Writer in California He
realized, however. that swiftly intui-
tive as were the operations Of his
mind when engaged on speculation an
entirely different mental operation
was needed If he were to write for the
newspapers.
In all his long career in New York
he probably never contributed more
than few brief and sententious ut
terances for newspaper publication,
with a single exception.
There were, occasionally, publica-
tons which purported 70 give reports
Of long conversations with Mr.. Keene,
but he always repudiated them, at
least in private.
The one occasion to which I refer
10 came within my personal Observa-
ton. Mir. Keene has sustained the
New York securities market, single
handed, in the darkest day Of the
panic which was caused by the great
railway strike at Pittsburgh and other
parts of the West The intense mental
concentration which this exploit oc-
casioned caused Mr.. Keene to collapse
la
tory. He was threatened with paralysis
Of the brain. When convalescence
began he was taken to Long Branch
by his lifelong friend the late Sam
Ward
Charles A. Dana. at that time edi-
tor Of the New York Sun, asked me
to go to Long Branch and see If Mr.,
Keene would be willing to give me
an interview. I'm which he would set
forth his reasons for the panicky con-
ditions and his outlook toward the
future Of the American securities mar
ket Mr. Dana said to me that very
likely ! would be unable to induce
Mr.. Keene to talk, but that ] was to
assure him as much space as he re-
CURED. Through the friendly aid OF
Mr.. Ward, Mr. keene was persuaded
very reluctantly TO give an interview
l found him proped up in bed. He
was emaciated. and seemed very weak.
But / observed that his eyes were
bright and in the brief preliminary
chat with him 1 realized that there was
no longer any danger OF paralysis of
his mental faculties.
what does Mr., Dana want me to
say?" he asked. "What am / to talk
about?"
| briefly answered these questions.
After meditating a few moments Mr..
Keene said;
well, ! will not give an interciew.
That is. ! will not answer questions
I will, however. state as briefly and
concisely as | can what I regard as
prevailing influences in this country
and what my reasons are for looking
very optimistically toward the future
But YOU mustn't interrupt me with
any questions. Draw your chair close
TO my bed | am not very strong and
can hardly speak above a whisper
After a few moments Mr.. Keene be-
gan to dictate the article. He weigh
ed every word. He frequently changed
whole sentences. He rearranged para
graphs / saw that his mind was in
tensely concentrated upon this matter
realized that he had a keen sense
of what the right word should be. He
was aiming constantly for lucidity OF
expression. lie wanted what he said
to be so clearly expressed that a child
could understand IT,
Mr.. Keene was four hours in dictat-
ing what made column and a half OF
The Sun. Then he was nearly two
hours in revising my manuscript. II
was six hours work. He was utterly
exhausted and 7 was very tired when
the work was finished But when il
appeared in The Sun it attracted wide
attention, not merely for the import
ance of Mr.. Keene's view, but as a
specimen OF brilliant lucid writing
Copyright. 1918. by e. ]. Edwards