The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-02-24
"EDrroR's EASY JoB"-NoT so

See the lucky editorl What an
easy job he hast But the subject OF
the traditional lucky editor is treated
In sVeh a style by l.. N Flint, head
Of the journalism department in
the University OF Kansas. that the
man OF ordinary capacity never
would envy the editors
In the case of the country edi-
tor. he has n reasonable chance OF
succeeding II he can run his tyne
writer with one hand while using
the other to correct proof. write
ad copy. make out subscription re-
ceipts, keep the books, order paper
stock, welcome visitors from wild
Cat township. take 3-line personals
over the telephone, open the mail.
pay the freight bill. ward off brick
bats, and flag destiny Thus
Flint outlines the qualifications.
The following excerpt and the
foregoing qualification of the coun-
try editor from Flint's book on
THE Editorial: A Study in Effec-
tiveness of Writing" was published
on a Christmas greeting sent out
from the University of Kansas jour
nalism press:
An editor has reasonable chance
of succeeding.
IL he can learn to pick out OF
the days tumble the significant
things suitable for editorial handl-
ing
If he can sense maladjustments
where everything is apparently go
ing smoothly.
II he can appreciate excellencies
that others are too busy or too OBJ
tuse to see.
II his indignation kindles at the
| Injustice ignored by the dulled sem
sibilities OF the crowd.
If he can look beyond the pres
ent fact to its consequences a gen.
GRAFTON ahead.
If he has enough philosophy of
| life to insure fundamental con-
sistence in the position he takes.
II he is Historically minded
possesses historical perspective.
II he can pass by the non-essen-
tials of subject to the real heart
of the matter.
| If he knows when and where to
be severe. kindly, ironical, gay,
sentimental. brilliant, serious.
II, in addition to being such
well-known things as honest, indie
pendent, public spirited and well
informed, he is also in dead earn.
est as to the professional nature
of his relations to the community.
| II he knows people well enough
to be charitable.
II he has the instincts of an art
ist to guide him in judging when a
| piece of editorial is well done.
If he has learned how to go TO
nature for renewal of courage and
broadening of sympathies.
| II, through a sense of humor or
any other means. he has developed
a balanced sanity as regards his
own Importance.
If he is strong enough so that
he may safely let his readers see
that he doesn't believe all the
truth to be on his side and all
error on the other side.
| If, in the words of Charles Dana.
he is original, strong, and bold
enough to make his opinions a
matter of consequence to the
/ public
If he can adjust subject to read
er, putting the right thing first,
and the right thing last.
| II he knows when to stay ION
| the renee ana when TO get off. and
| can do both courageously.
If he realizes the fads and hob
| bies are only the poor relations"
OF principles and policies.
If he has enough keel so that
he can change his course even in
a stiff breeze without capsizing.
II he likes people well enough to
enjoy seeing. them happy and TO
help make them happy, even il he
has to make them discontented
first.
If he is not too hungry for pop
ularity nor, too much above caring
for il.
III he is free from the itch for Of
fice-no matter IL it is true that
there are usually fifty editors in
congress. He might make an ad-
mirable official, but not while be
ing a good editor.
IL he can make the important
international question seem as real
as the local contest for the post
office
II he can take stock of himself
once in while. using tests such as
these "ifs" for inventory purposes,
without having his spontaniety killed
by self-consciousness.