The New York herald., 1920-01-17

tenacity OF general pattern and individual
ism IN character, Is the Sun of the last
fifSy-two years, beginning with the time
OF its purchase BY Mr.. Dana and his
eminent Republican associates in Janu-
ary 1858, and OF the assumption Of editor
ship by that eminent journalist. Against
the half century OF this Sun chronology
places the more than four score years of
practically unbroken policy administered
by the two James Gordon Benrstts.
AS rhe esteemed Brooklyn Eagle re-
marked last night, the absolute sale OF tne
Bennett papers to the present owner OF
the Sun and the Evening Sun breaks all
records for this metropolis. There has
never been time when the circuiauon
and goodwill Of five such newspapers-for
the previously acquired and powerfully
individual Press must be reckoned in the
accounting-havc been committed by
events to single directing mind. The
concentration Of opportunity and re-
spons,bility effected by the purchase an
nounced yesterday surpasses in import
ance anything In the whole history of
newspaper making in New York GER
tainiy. in the whole world OF journalism
probably.
Doubtless men OF enterprise and vision
have dreamed over and over again Of the
possibility Of a concentration like this.
The fact that New York and its sur
rounding territory was overpopulated
with great newspapers has long been
recognized by discerning observers of the
special field. The advantages and econ
ornies OF a reduction in number that
should eliminate duplication Of effort and
duplication Of expenditure by newspa per
ORGANIZATIONS of the same or similar
grade have been obvious to professional
intelisence But that OF which others
have dreamed .ur. Frank A. Munsey has
done. with characteristic simplicity OF
purpose. energy of direct action and
courage Of heart.
The present writer Is as far as any
chance reader Of these lines from know
ing exactly what Mr.. Munsey will do with
the great properties thus recently ac-
quired. But he does know, or thinks he
knows, what Mr.. Munsey can do for the
HERALD and the Evening Telegram; and
the grounds for confidence In that re-
spect are no exclusive possession, Tor
they must be apparent already to every
one who has noted results, both IN the
way Of circulation and OF political and
moral influence in the community ano
nation, during the three years and nall
since the new proprietor Of the HERALD
became the new proprietor OF the Sun.
There are not within the range OF my
information many human documents
which have tho dramatic interest. the
iIluminative and revealing value of little
book written years ago. almost for pri-
vatc circulation, by man VINO IS this
morning at the head Of four OF the leading
newspa pers Of New York. 1t tells with con.
vincing candor and engaging sincerity OF
tho struggle Of one who came to this diff
cult town to try TO establish certain low
priced magazine Of which he had formed
the idea whom country boy away down
in Maine. 1t Is the story OF wonderIu
tr,,,,,,nb or character over seeming inn
possibilities by force OF will. by force OF
integrity. by force Of dauntless independ.
ence and self-reliance. The contents OF
that modest opuscle and the features of
that unconscious self-drawn portrait came
back to me yesterday morning when read
the account of the transaction which adds
the old HERALD to the older Sun.
EDWARD T. MITCHELL.