New-York tribune., 1920-10-23
Philip X. Minndil
IsDead;;V eterail
Man
In Charge Of Dramatic News
Department Of The Trib-
une Until Overcome by
Illness Seven Months Ago
Noted Publicity Expert
Former Owner Of Vanity Fair
and Organizer Of Friars
Gained Host cf Friends

Philip Kearny Mindil, who had been
in charge of the dramatic news depart
ment of The Tribune since October,
1919, -ded late last night after a long
illness at hts home. 45l West Thirts-
fourth Street. He was one of the NEST
widely known newspaper and publicity
men in this country For seven months
he had confronted certain and early
death with cheerful courage.
Mr. Mindil was the son of the late
General George W. Mindil. who was
chief Of staff for General Philip Kearny
during the Civil War. He was born in
Philadelphia August 8, 1874. After
being graduated from Boys High
School in Brooklyn in 1892 he engaged
at once IN newspaper work.
Worked for Charles Dana
When Charles Dana was editor OF
The sun, Mr.. Mindil was on the staff
Of that newspaper lie was on tAe
aid, The New YORK Times. The New
York American, The Morning Tele-
graph, The Evening World, lac new
York Journal and The Journal OF Com
nierce in this city.
In Chicago he had served with The
Dispatch, The Chicago Tribune and The
Record. He was a newspaper man of
the widest experience and Of unusual
attainments along dramatic and mu-
steal lines. There scarcely is a posi-
tion in a newspaper Office which Mr.
Mindil had not filed efficiently He
was formerly owner and publisher of
Vanity Fair.
He was a pioneer in highly organized
y1f1 hi ltnis, i
bureau IN this city, which is said to have
been the first to employ the efficient
methods now generally in use in the
business. His is said to have been the
first broad view taken of publicity work
and innovations which he made are be-
Iieved to form the basis of the tremen-
dous influence that the business wields
at present.
Mr.. Mindil's interest in newspaper
work was too keep, however, for him
to remain for long period away from
newspaper office and he brought back
to the work nearest his heart on each
return something of value gained from
fls other vocations.
Music and the stage became his spe-
cialties. His acquaintance among the
members of both professions was vide
and the friendships which grew out of
1t were deep. His information concern
ing the news of the stage and Of music
was most extensive and his judgment
sound.
Underwent 20 Operations
Last October Mr.. Mindil came to The
Tribune from The World Under his
direction the dramatic department. of
The Tribune was developed rapidly and
new success attained. Since April Mr.
Mindil had been confined to his bee
with dropsy, an atTliction from which
he had suffered long and for the relief
of which he had undergone twenty
operations.
1t was hopeless fight that he wa.
waging and no one KNEW it better
than Mr.. Mindil. but the stcadfast
cheerfulness of his outlook on life
never varied throughout his last i'll
ness.
Last month David w. Griffith post
poned engagements for the motion pic
ture play "Way Down East" IN order to
bring it from the laboratory to Nj
Mindils bedside, where it was first
projected.
Mr.. Mindil was married in Chicago
in 1897 to Rosemonde West, who sur
wives him. They had one son, Philip
K. Mindil jr. The young man was
killed two years ago when the 27th
Division swept across the Iiiadenburg
line. He was cited for gallantry in
action and decoration which was
awarded after his death was his
fathers most cherished possession
Mr. Mindl was one of the live found
of the Green Room Club and was past
master of Pacific Lodge, +. & A. NJ
Arrangements for the funeral will be
announced later