The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-09-17
MEN, WOMEN
AND THINGS

this country from LONDON Dy the cor
respondent Of the New York Tribune
upon the death of Mr.. John Walter, the
proprietor. who died in 1894.
George w. Smalley. one of the best
posted American correspondents in Eu-
rope. took occasion to say that Mr..
Walters death concerned England more
greatly than that of the Emperor Of
Russia, which occurred about the same
time. This representative of a great
American journal felt that there was
probably no single influence so potent
in English public life as the Times.
The relationship which existed be-
tween the Walter family and Mr.. De-
like that which has existed for years
between the Haldemans and Henry
Watterson. The two measured swords
more than once. but John Walter, as
the owner, of course, had the deciding
voice. In the last resort he was the
Times, and for 40 years was the most
powerful individual in England, ac-
cording to the belief of many.
A newspaper is greater than any In
dividual Smalley well said prime
ministers come and go. but the great
journal of which Mr. Walter was the
head remained 1t had the power of
a past. The potency of q present force,
and the potentialities of the future.
Day by day, week by week, year by
year, it was gathering unto itself
cumulative force that made it the most
powerful vehicle of thought among
English speaking people.
Mr., Walter was journalist, but he
was also more than a mere editor,
he was a proprietor He belonged to
that branch of the profession which
wins respect not merely by being a
mouthpiece but by having both 1eet
firmly planted on a sound hnanclal
basis Journalism to him, among oth-
err things. was an enterprise of com
merce.
"The day has passed when business
men" patronize the Journalist, for the
modern city daily is part of big busi-
ness, and its management requires bus
| mess ability of the highest order l.
| is true that a man may be capable
editor without being a good business
man, but some great newspaper editors
and proprietors have proved them
selves to be good financiers.
| John Walter was the third in sue
cession. and, therefore. hereditary
journalist, and he was justly proud OF
his heritage. He inherited a fortune
and his position on the Times. He
strengthened his position as an editor
by the masterful way in which he per-
| fected the organization of his stan
and he Increased his fortune by his
businesss sagacity. and yet his attitude
to the paper was never that of mar
who regarded it merely as a source OF
income"
/ Now here connAs sta4ssaent from
4 smalley that is absolutely incompre
hensible to an American: "He neve1
thought Of the Times as a money making
machine, primarily. His main interes
in the paper was a different kind
1t was said of him at the Office
that he was never known to make 81
inquiry as to financial results. Hi
dividends were paid into his bankers
He knew. of course. what they were
and whether they were above or below
the average. But he was never know
to express the least satisfaction owe
a good year, or the least disappoint
ment when the yield was less thai
usual"
Possibly Smalley might have go
. some few on the outside of newspaper
to believe the above. but no one on tn
inside, and when he goes on furthe
and says: HE might see signs Q
: prosperity-for instance. great mum
! Der of columns of advertising or
whole page advertisement. If he com
mented on it he did it out of kindlines
The price he never asked" And ask
naturalized American advertising man
: ager to believe 1t he will get des
: ear for he has overstepped the bound
Y Of credulity, and even believing Be
Murphy would accuse him of "strine
: ing him.
a IT know that M. Maynard, the grea
= est editor on the continent. who mao
the Figaro the first journal of Franc
: although he controlled the paper, ris
o idly kept down the advertising al
made up by high prices for the sma
amount Of space he would grant Il
commercial purposes. He wasn't sue
a bad financier after all. for over
4 score Of years ago he was credited wi
: making the paper pay 100000 We
. to it's shareholders.
I am here to tell you that it tax
\ ability of the highest order to edit al
: finance metropolitan paper. If "
~ house of Walter in London ever stro
to reach: ITO recognize CONNER
= and industry as the true source
= the greatness of England; to uphc
- the cause of humanity and freedom;
y spare no efforts in the collection of
- telligence and no pains In securing
accuracy and authenticity; to discr
~ public affairs with moderation, go
", sense, and single-minded regard
" the welfare of the country, the 81
Id bility Of its institutions, and the mai
t. tenance Of its position among the gre
powers of the world-in q word.
look at all public affairs, and all m;