The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-01-24


he thought about newspaper spec
ialization, and he answered, saying:
Specialization is one of the main
features in the life of journalist
today. You never can hope to got
very far unless you specialize on
one subject. Don't be jack OF
all trades and master Of none The
day is past when a reporter Is sup
posed to be able to 60 out and
write up murder story, then cover
a concert and dozen other things.
Zone man for each thing and each
thing done well is the motto of
editors today"
And will never forget that wise
and the helpfle advice he gave me.
Never!
Our discussion was brought to
close at last by the entrance Of q
crowd Of men who were members
of the board. Following them came
two more newspaper men, reporters
from the other two big dailies Of
the city. They took seats next to
me and we were introduced by tho
young editor. The door was them
closed and the meeting called to
order. After a few words tho
reading was commenced.
will not attempt a description
of it, for l was busy jotting down
quotations. l do not know however,
that the quotations were read by
the young editor. and members
would sometimes make bids and
change them. That was all, save
to add that every one except tho
reader and myself had commenced
smoking and the room was filled
with great clouds of blush smoke.
But continued to write quotations.
nothing but quotations, paying no
attention to anything else.
The end of the list was finally
reached and the reader stopped
while ! gave a sigh of relief. After
q few corrections, the members
gathered up their sheets and de-
parted. The other two reporters
compared their sheets with that Of
the young editor and made a few
corrections. When they had finish.
ed and left, did the same and
made many corrections.
walked upstairs and out to the
street with him and here we parted,
each going a different way. That
was the last ever saw of him.
My glance happened to rest on q
street clock. and, to my horror, /
saw it was four minutes of IL! Say
you should have seen me travel!
People would glance at me as I
passed and the look on their faces
plainly meant: Il wonder where his
keeper is?" The traffic cop looked
daggers at me when l crossed the
street on a run, lodging in and out
of the traffic. A small newsy on
the opposite curb got in my way and
! almost knocked the poor kid off
his feet. But still l sped on, for I
had no time for apologies or explain
atoms.
1t was exactly one minute of II
when reached the office almose
breathless. After turning in my
work to the editor he motioned
me to a chair by the side of his
desk. Here I sat until he looked
over the bulletin and then he turned
to me, saying:
Berlin, you have covered the
meeting in fine style, much better
than l expected. If was boss,
would put you on as a cub but
had talk with the managing edit.
or who. when he learned your age
Il was Is years old them, said you
were much too young. And, so
I'm obliged to let you go. Return
to school >and finish your course,
then come back. If you again
qualify I'll be glad to give you a
job"
accepted the Disappointment in
good grace, and, after a hearty
1andshake with him, left the Of
ice.
Now am back at school and
glad of it. He was right: A news.
paper man should have high
school education. But still think
If the time when I was a reporter
Ind long for the day to come when
can step out of school, take a
course in journalism, and then step