The Washington times., 1919-09-21

Big Ben" we called him be-
cause he stood six-foOt-two and
within his broad bosom there beat
a big heart
He was not eager to go on this
last assignment. Perhaps IL was
premonitlon. Anyway, he want
ed to take his family 70 the
mountains or seashore, there to
rest and forget the grind OF the
newspaper game in wartime
Washington. the debates on the
League Of Nations. and the daily
demand for comment on world
moving Affairs.
Yet, fresh. or tired, newspaper
men Of Ben Aliens type have a
creed OF one Word-duty
And 50 he went away and Gied
as a soldier might at his post
A lovable man was big Ben"
Allen, treasuring the affection Of
his fellows, and giving ia return
love Of humanity and life His
heart was all-encOmpassinE. His
laugh was infectious. His hand
shake carried the grip OF friend
ship, understanding and CANA
raderie. The warming influence
Of his smile broke IN upon ones
troubles, like sunshine through
the clouds chasing the shadows
from life's highway.
Some folks contend that a man
isn't worth while unless BE has
his enemies. Ben Aliens life be-
lied that theory. II he had an
enemy it was because the latter
did not understand big Ben"
We know Of no one who disliked
or hated him. And he was worth
while.
The 'rich man in this world is
he who can count for every finger
on his hands a friend, q genuine
friend. Ben Allen was richer
than that.
Like all strong men he OcCa-
>siOnally had his moods. Some
times 1t was one OF sens. .iveness;
again one of near intolerance for
a wrong view or a questionable
act. But he wounded the feelings
OF neither. stranger nor associate.
No child has cried because he was
unkind; no woman has suffered
because Of him; no man. can say
that he ever struck below the
belt. His fhtle .frailties were
those Of the huPan family, crowd
ed out in memory by the multi
tude OF his virtues.
In the newspaper profession.
particularly here in the National
Capital-One either eleVates and
graces that profession, moves in
q stratum of mediocrity, or lowers
his calling in the public esteem.
Ben Allen, whole-sOuled, sincere,
diligent, brilliant, fearless, anS
unbiased, lent dignity and refine
ment to the vocation Of neWspa-
per reporting, and ever reflected
and champiOned its noblest in
stincts. His convictions were
positive. his manner OutspOken,
his methods fair, his fidelity to
the right inspiring and change
less.
3 He held the confidence OF Presi-
dents, Cabinet officers, diplomats,
and statesmen;. yet. to paraphrase
kipling, he could walk with kings
nor lose the common touch.
Years ago Ben Allen. a strap
ping fellow just out Of college,
stood across the street from a
newspaper office in Cleveland.
He wanted to be a newspaperman,
so he walked across the street and
told them so. There was no. va
cancy on the staff, but ne came
back day after day with persist
enCe, a CHEEKY smile. and conf
dence in himself. Finally they
sent him on his first assignment.
His was a rise rapid and deserved,
illustrating perhaps the claim that
newspapermen are bOTP and not
made.
His last assignment found him
steadfast in the pursuit Of duty,
a big body and heart filled with
the zeal OF handling a national
and international story.
Today they buried his body in
Cleveland. The fullness OF his
heart. the gentleness OF his man
ner, the kindness OF his words,
the benediCtion OF his smile, and
the memories OF handshakes that
meant fellowship and sympathy,
are indestructible legacies left to
friends who loved him because
he was generous, human, square,
and noble.
Somewhere in the Valley Of Val
halla today the spirit Of "Big Ben"
Allen moves among the spirits Of
good fellows preceding him and
others met there In the Great Be-
yOnd. Would that he might write