The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-09-20
"A Fallen Reporter Gets
Up and Assigns Himself
Y To Swat His Arch Enemy!

The city editor of The Times needed
an additional reporter.
A man who had done good work on
another newspaper was recommended to
him, but with this word:
'He is good reporter; gets the news,
writes good, clean, understandable copy,
but he is booze-ighter."
"I'll give him chance" said the city
editor and he sent for the man.
He was employed with the understand
ing that "boozing" on the job would not
Be tolerated, and that he would be out Of
! job the first time he broke the rule.
He worked FIVE days.
He will take no more assignments from
che city editor of The Times-at least,
for the present.
For the present, at least, he will take
assignments from no city editor, because
this writer has assigned HIMSELF.
He has gotten upon his feet, looked his
enemy squarely in the face and issued
his defy and his challenge.
The duel is on.
A few days following his dismissal
from the Times staff, the city editor re-
eeived from the reporter the following
note:
Am sending you the enclosed In the hope thai
ycu can use II. am not trying to get back m,
sob. because know that / deserve nothing at
your hands.
Booze has lost me my Job and my wife and my
home II has practically ruined me, and now
am going to do everything in my power TO ruin
booze.
This was the inclusure:
Nero was powerful.
Caesar powerful.
Jesus was powerful.
But I am more powerful than they.
Nero and Caesar had the power 10 destroy and
exercised II, but where they destroyed thou
sands, have destroyed millions.
Jesus had the power to save. and exercised II,
but his power has waned. and now am more
powerful than He, for once get man wholly
IN my clutch. not even God Himself can save
him.
Men yes, and even women, girls and unbeard-
Cd youths. turn away from God for me-
Al FIRST they come 10 me smlingly. their eyes
cleaning with the light OF sweet anticipation.
/ am 30 insidious In exercising my power that
they fail TO recognize and appreciate the men
ace that they are inviting into their lives and
hearts
For months. and even years, they play with
ne, or think they do. but, az matter OF fact,
really am playing with them.
Yet so crafty am I. so sly, so smooth In my
work. that they. the poor boobs. never suspect
my potency until have them in my grip and
begin TO throttle them.
Soon they are everlsstingy within my power,
bat oftimes even then. they do not realize It
n 10 not until the light OF ambition has died
ct from within their eyes: II is not until they
have brought sorrow and anguish into their
4 hennes: II IL not until they have lost job after
80. that they begin TO appreciate the hold
& have upon them.
Then they struggle, and fight and battle; they
eurve and swear and denounce me; they rail-
and rant and repent
They beg forgiveness from the beloved wife
tAsy have beaten: from the gray-haired mother
whose heart they have broken; from the dear
children whom they have abused and caused to
20 hungry.
They even turn to God and pray and beseech
and supplicstc.
Some. more mbucd with strength than Others
throw on my influence temporarily. imagine
Uhey have conquered me and succeed in making
. new start
Others point at them the finger OF approval.
e commentator. and congratulate them for
having reformed.
Bshi I laugh In my sleeve and bide my time
. L<.. ILL h. Lr,nu ~. al.