The Washington times., 1915-12-03
NO BED OF ROSES IS
JOURNALISTS SCHOOL
OF Sixty Candidates in 1912.
Only Twenty Survive Ardu.
Gus Trials, Report Shows.

NEW YORK. Dec. s.--The tests and
tfibulations provided for tho School OF
Journalism reporter. his reaction to
them and the expectation that he will
rise triumphant above all difficulties
and become the shining light OF the
newspaper profession. find expression
IN the annual report OF Dr. Talcott Will
Nams, director. to the president OF Co.
iumbia University. After three years
trial DIR. Williams IL "onyinced that a
program Of studies has been arranged.
the completion OF which will swing
wide open to the fortunate possessor OF
the degree of bachelor OF literature in
Journalism tho gateways leading to
journalistic success
That the path leading to this degree.
however. and all the splendid prospects
which spread before its holders are not
strewn with roses. DIR. Williams hnstcns
TO make clear. The present fourth year
class. he points out Is the first which
hiss had the advantage OF the curri-
culum OF the school from the start.
How roughly II has been handled is in
dfcated by the fact that only a firth
Of those who were candidate for admis-
sion In September. 1912, survive OF
sixty men who took the entrance exami-
nations three years ago. twenty were
admitted to the school and seven are
still left in the race for fame OF
eighteen men admitted as non-matricu-
lants only two remain. OF nine wom-
en- admitted to Barnard as students OF
journalism four remains.
Low Salary Acts As Check.
DR.. Williams consoles himself for this
heavy mortality by stating that II Is
usual In the early stages OF any edu-
cation. and also by explaining that the
lower level OF pay In the calling Of
the newspaper reduces the number Who
rersevere to the end" This low salary
check also. according to DR.. Williams.
increases the proportion Of those OF
narrow means who turn to q curriculum
which gives professional degree at
fhe end OF four years from the high
school" But he sees light ahead. and
predicts that tho advance in the nay
or the journalist will, soon give the
training" In other words, he foresces
time when II will take five. six or
even seven years to turn out a school
or journalism reporter. Now IL takes
Ihos" who have been surprised A. the
nHiguitr Of the School of Journal'am re-
porter will have occasion to rub their
eyes In as.onish-,ant when they learn
That II Is only the handful Of students
IN the fourth wear who are allowed to
&c practical reporting. The large num-
ner or students in the lower years Is
never allowed to roam further than the
shrltering walls Of the Journalism build
ing in Its hunt for matter to turn into
cory"
Practice and Theory At Odds.
An interesting part OF the report Is
DR. Williams reflections upon the fact
that those who enter the School OF
Journalism after practical experience in
newspaper offices in = large measure
fail IN their efforts to solve the prob
lens of Theoretical, journalism. THIS
failure. he says Is not doe 10 lack Of
ability. 1t IL due to the wicked ed tors
who set them to dtssipating their
energies when they were Young. He
The failure Of so large 4 share nt
those who entered as non-mat trculants
as proposed by the late Joseph Pulitzer,
10 due neither 10 lack of ability or lack
OF success in their newspaper work be-
for. they entered the school. Their
WORK has heen well done. The men n
writing and In capacity were decidedly
above the average. Their newspaper ex-
psrience had given them Uulr;ness and
penetration. a vide and personal Enowl-
edge OF the workings OF socIety. an ac-
duaintance with Its social and political
with Affairs"
First Year Hard.
Eut the first years of Young news
paper man are discursi\e to the last
degree. Events prescribe a new task
daily. No topic is completed. The
hours are disastrouslv lous. No sys,e-
matte information Is acquired Onl" the
most diligent can study. These mihn
progress sound but amazing: thev com
hine the fruits OF the laboratory "f
hooks and the laboratory OF life 'ln,y
have both experience ana cxprNs.nuu.
Thev are sought. honorcd and Rdv,msrl
in every newspaper office. ThoEc ,,iu
do not study, and they are manN. h,,1
life IN adolescence between Si\,r-n
and twenty-five or so. which Is 4 p,I IL
Gus training for the development Of the
mind A large share OF the con. iction
Of many newspaper men thru the public
wants trivia!ities or polio" news - due
TO the fact that in their formative years
these were their daily tashs and came
to assume. as do the adolcsCent tasks
OF all. an eXtraVaGant value.