, 1921-09-30
MARsE HENRY INTERVIEWED.

Any statement from Colonel Henry Watterson, the
famous editor Of the Louisville Courier Journal and
dean of the order, is interesting. He has written and
spoken more brilliant things than any newspaper edi-
tor alive today and he has been doing the same thing
and delivering the same quality since before the Civil
war. He was the friend and associate of such stars
of the newspaper armament as Greeley. Raymond,
Prentis. Halstead. Bennett, Curtis, Medill and n hun
dred others who later came on the scene.
OF all the great editors Colonel wattenon Is pos
sibly the most lovable and he has remained the long
est with us to prolong our pleasure.
A newspaper woman encountered the veteran edi-
tor the other day and asked him a series of ques-
tons. His answers show a tinge Of cynicism toward
his life long profession and especially toward the de-
partment over which he so long presided. The ques-
tons and answers follow:
1. What was the biggest piece Of news ever print
ed in the papers in your experience?
Col. watterson.-The assassination of Abraham
Lincoln.
2. Has journalism improved in the last so yearsf
1t has not improved, merely expanded and enlarged
maybe dramatically better written and typograph-
ically better printed.
8. Do you believe the editorial has as much sway
upon the public as of yore? "
1t is not SO highly considered, less representative
and oracular. The public is fairly con" the editorial
"we."
4 What do you think Of scare heads?
was one of their originntors. When they are done
with intelligence and fidelity they advise the reader
and simplify the reading.
8. What city handles the news best?
That which has the best newspapers.
6. What do you think of feature stories, cartoons,
and the comics as assets to a paper?
They amuse the trivial and diversity and spice the
paper.
z. What is the future Of Journalism?
1t has none. 1t has reached its limit. The public
knows its tricks only too well.
8. Are newspaper women an asset to a paper?
Journalism is sexless.
g. What are the best qualities for an all round
reporter?
Accuracy, a nose for news, an eye for the perspec-
tive and a sense of color and effect.
10. Is the newspaper the greatest educator in the
world?
In a loose. superficial way it probably is.
IL. What section of the paper do the people read
most?
After the alleged news of the day, the sports, the
scandals and advertising.
~. Who were the best editorial writer's Of the
old days2
There were many. In the north, Greeley, Raymond
and Tourney. In the south, Richie, Prentis and John
Fcrsythe. In the east, Sam Bowles. In the west,
Joseph Medill.
49,. What do you think Of the present day woman.
with her bodied hair, short skirts. and devotion to
cigarettes7
She looks like a freak and acts like a harlot.
IA. What has prohibition done for the newspa-
pers?
Kept the boys sober and made liars, sneaks and
lsw-breakers Of the rest Of US.
10. Can a man write as peppily without an coca
sional bit of something for inspiration?
No man can write his best under an alcoholic stim-
ulation. To write well one must keep his head cool
and his feet warm. What you call an occasional IN
SEPARATION is apt to degenerate into habitual istimula-
ton and thence dropping of the delinquent from the
payroll. A clear brain, a full mind and an honest pur-
pose are the essentials to good and useful writing,
the only kind Of writing that has any real value.