The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-07
MIR. FORD,s

he has no training and for which perhaps he is not tempcra-
mentally fitted. He is going to own and print a newspaper.
Owning a newspaper is a favorite hobby with men who
amass fortunes quickly. After pursuing a more or less obscure
line of work, regardless of the financial success, and having their
way as far as money can buy it, their ambition mounts to greater
heights, and they wish to occupy a central place in shaping pub
lie opinion.
The desire to write is like other emotions, sometimes sound
and sometimes unsound. There are times when the man trained
in the art of making music from his typewriter would readily
exchange his bread-winning ability for some other, and he fire.
quently does.
Mr.. Ford says he is going to make a success of his news
paper enterprise if it costs him 100000. Mr., Ford in the
outset reveals his lack Of appreciation Of the mission OF a news
paper. He is of the class that must be entertained, and to him
the newspaper is a big toy.
All the money he can make from his tin Flnabcths will not
make a success OF his paper. A paper must first deserve Sue
cess. He is fortunately able to purchase a large plant for the
publication of a few copies to be distributed among his friends
that they may know what his ideas are on the absorbing topics
ot the day, but if the paper does not carry a vital message to
the people; if it does not stand for sound principles; if it is not
based upon the solid foundation OF fair dealing, it can never be
q success.
Mr.. Ford will soon learn that his millions will not make
the paper GO. lie has some unique ideas, it is true, but the man
with a burning message" soon burns out unless he draws his
fuel from the developments of the day to keep the fires burning.
Mr., Ford has not achieved a reputation as a writer. II is
doubtful ii he could qualify for a reporters job on any of the
great newspapers, If he had a message for the world, and would
reduce 1t to writing, he would find a ready market for it in one
OF the established publications with a nationwide circulation.
lrv'n ;. Cobb, David Lawrence, Harry Leon Wilson and
dozens OF Others have no difficulty in placing their articles in
widely read publications, They not only do not need to own
a paper or magazine for the publication of their articles, but
they lind a quick sale for everything they write,
Furthermore there is a shortage OF great editors. Col
Henry Watterson has lately entered the retired list Richard
H. Yancey, of the Nashville Banner, is the only scholarly writer
IN Southern journalism at the present time, and he is no longer
a young man, though he is as virle and as active as he was rs
years ago, and perhaps his judgment is even more sound. At
any rate we know of no other editor who insisted that the war
would never reach the phase of a 1919 campaign. The end was
not the justification of a prophecy, but of judgment based upon
a correct Interpretation Of significant events.
We must conclude, after all, that Mr.. Ford is M = tr,ired
newspaper man, and, secondly, that he is not a write of known
ability. lie does not possess the qualities of keen discernment
usually attributed to newspaper workers, because of his demon.
strated failure to apprehend the public state Of mind Every
newspaper in the country, with the exception of the few edited
by his guests, made sport of the voyage of the Oscar II. when
1t sailed upon its famous peace mission.
Persons who have devoted years to the DEVELOPMENT Of
news and the publication OF newspapers, and have studied the
problem from every angle, will not take kindly to Mr., Fords
opinion that he can put over" his paper if it costs $lOOO0OO0
Ihere is no doubt that money, and large quantities of it, is
required for the publication of a paper, But money alone will
mot suffice.
Mr., Ford might as reasonably have declared his intention
10 become a surgeon by constructing a splendid hospital, as he
did in accordance with his usual lberality, But it is observed
that Mr.. Ford provided the funds for his hospital and then left
at to the physicians and surgeons.
Mr. Ford can no more reasonably expect to become a
great editor by owning a newspaper than he can expect to
become a surgeon by building a hospital.
Edward B, Mclean, publisher of the Cincinnati Enquirer
Iana inc Washington Post' owns a number OF race horses, Fol-
eFord proposes not only to own, hut to edit his paper.
One OF the familiar beliefs that the newspaper man meets
rs the conviction that one man can run a newspaper as we'll as
another, with the advantage in favor of the one who has had
no experience Perhaps that impression originated among the
newspaper men themselves who once believed that n drunke, ~
crazy editor could conduct his department. as we'll as a sane one.
put 1t must be remembered that there is no record of a paper
succeeding under any such management. The first thing il lost
was public confidence, and a newspaper can have no other asset
sthat will supply this deficiency,
Mr., Ford may make a success of his newsnaner ertsro,;o
we hope ne will succeed, but the first thing that he must oet
IN his mind is that t it fails to pay its way it is a failure,
no matter how much money he may dump into ithe homer aman
Hit requires less than the 100000 he is willing to sn.,d
Those who are manufacturing a boom for Gen. Pershipg
Tor the presidency are rendering that distinguished solder aS 80
indNiefent service. he has all the boom he Il; thai, l..