Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-11
FAMOUS EDITOR GOES FISHING
Bill Reedy, of St. Louis, One of
Literary Junkers at
Corson's Inlet
CHANNEL BASS WooED
WITH FIRST EDITIONS

A large limousine was seen purring down
Chestnut street late yesterday afternoon,
with heavy list toward the stern. 1t was
obvious to the reporter of the Chatting Dish
that some important cargo was being car
ried. At halt in the traffic the car was
held up, and peering discreetly within he saw
the floor of the vehicle Uttered with valuable
looking volumes. Looking more closely, he
saw that the rear seat was occupied by
large gentleman, on whose massive taNks
perched two others, somewhat pinched for
space. 'Holy cat - cried the reporter
'Bill Reedy !"
So it was. Bill Reedy, known to the
literary world as William Marion Reedy, the
famous editor and critic of st. Louis, pro-
prietor of "Reedy's Mirror" one of the most
universally beloved and respected of savants.
Bill is perhaps best known to the world as
the discoverer of Edgar Lee Masters, whose
"Spoon River Anthology" he printed in his
weekly, and Zoe Atkins, the brilliant young
St. Louis playwright, whose new play is
now the sensation of New York. But he is
equally famous as the encourager and friend
of every young writer who does honest work.
Mr.. Reedy is a man whose genial kindliness
has become proyerbial. In spite of his emf
pence in the world of literature, he has no
pose whatever-except adipose, that is.
Mr.. Reedy's companions were DIR. A. S.
w. Rosenbach, the well known collector of
literary rarities, and Mitchell Kennerley,
the New York publisher. Gently disengaging
themselves from their cloying friend, they
explained the purpose of the expedition.
''Mr. Recdy has never caught channel
bass" said Mr. Rosenbach. were taking
him down to Corson's Inlet to have a try.
Next to discovering new poet, Mr.. Reedy's
net ambition is to catch a channel bass"
haif with
said the reporter, pointing TO the BOOKS with
which the car was loaded.
1--WE have brought few little things along
TO amuse Mr.. Reedy with while waiting for
the fish to assemble said Mr.. Kennerley,
the nresideut of a famous auction company
in New York and well known wherever lit
erary and artistic collectors are gathered
together. Here is first edition of Dry
denis Mr.. Limberham,' play which is
calculated to attract the attention of any
self respecting fish. We also have Somerset
| Maugham's The Moon and Sixpence' and
Peter Middleton perhaps the finest novel
ever written in America, and an auto
| graphed copy of George Moore's 'Avowals. :"
'.sud first edition of the Complete
| Angler A" added Doctor Rosenbach. 'If the
bass won't bite with all these in the boat,
| it will be very surprising
| eve invited couple Of Philadelphia
poets to go along with us, said Mr.. Reedy,
''but they begged off. What is the matter
with your poets in Philadelphia? They seem
to lack the adventurous spirit which is the
essence of romance and poetry"
Mr. Reedy has been in the East for two
months. making his annual voyage among
the literary circles. He has been staying
with Mr.. Kennerley in New York, and Mr.
Kennerley says Bill Reedy is an ideal guest
except that he will sing 81 am the mayor of
Greenwich Village" while he takes his bath,
and Mr.. Reedy's voice corresponds with his
stature. He returns next week to resume
the editing of his magazine, whlch he has
been conducting by telegraph.
"Well," said the reporter, as the gigantic
car moved away, IT hope you catch your
bass"
Hush" said Doctor Rosenbach in a
whisper. 1--WE have one all put away in
cold storage In case anything goes wrong.