The Washington herald., 1921-10-09
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Introa.cinE wiIIiam John.on.

Introducing william johnson.
NEW YORK, Oct. s-william
Johnston would blush at the state
ment that he discovered o. Henry,
but It was none other than john
ston who gave the famous short
story writer a leg up at the start
of his literary career. Johnston Is
general utility editor of the New
York World and the man selected
by the elder Pulitzer to hyy every
executive chair.
In the old days the first thing
that Johnston did on Monday MORN
ing was to send a note to o. Henry's
bachelor quarters, asking. Where
Is this weeks story2'' Invariably
there would come back a note say
ing: II ann just sitting down to
write It. Can you send me $50 by
this messenger"
When o. Henry ebegan writing
Johnston paid him 500 for a short
story. At his death he was getting
$4,000. After a few experiments
Johnston made 1t condition that
at least part of the story should
be in his hands before any money
was advanced. This accounts for
the fact that many of the beauti-
fully swritten introductions TO these
stories have no direct connection
with the stories themselves. o.
Henry was playing for time.
There is no. newspaper editor in
New York who has had Johnston's
wide experience in newspaper build
ing. He has twice been offered the
editorial management of the Red.
Blue and Green books in Chicago.
and shortly before the late James
Gordon Bennett died he offered
Johnston the management of the
New York Sunday Herald at S25. 900
a year.
Johnston is big physically and
mentally. He. is the author of Ave
popular novels and the sixth is now
running serially in newspaper
syndicate and the seventh is to be
troduced George McManus, the car
toonist. to New York
He is loyal to his friends and in
different to enemies. Those who
know him best are constantly amaz4
ed at his fund of general informa-
tlon. He has the largest personal
Acquaintance with public men in
America and he sits in the councils
of the mighty-a sort of unofficial
adviser whose advice is always con-
sidered sound. He has been behind
the scenes in many important con-
ferences where great issues were at
stake-not as an editor but as a
keen. straight thinker.
He has travelled extensively in
Europe and is the author Of one
volume of history. His life has
ever been full, yet he always man.
ages to find time for his friends and
one rarely calls at the New York
World and finds himself denied an
audience.
Il understand that for pastime
you play bridge with Arthur somers
Roche?" / inquired of Johnston.
playing bridge with Roche"
confessed Johnston reminiscently.
isn't a pastime. It's a crime. It's
nothing short Of larceny"
Johnston is invited everywhere
He Is at home with artists, writers
and business men. He knows all
the intimate cafes off the beaten
path. Once o. Henry, shortly be-
fore his death. sent Johnston the
following characteristic note:
What you say-let's take an
evening off and strike the Cafe
Francis for a light rejection. like
to be walked up suddenly by II = mu-
sic and look across at the red-hair-
ed woman eating smelts under an
original by Glackens."
In June. 1919. Johnston was sum-
moned to the graduating exercises
at the University OF Pittsburg and
laurelled by his Alma Mater with
the degree of. Doctor of Literature.
TheR are so many William John
stons in New York that Johnston is
known as big Bill" The descrip-
tion fits him in every way.
He is leading figure in the Dutch
Treat Club composed of 100 writer's
and artists who have achieved
things. He Is in his early fsrties
yet he has a record that few busy
men have attained at 60. Irwin
Cobb once said of his novel Linn
py:" Someone might have written
truer. sweeter. more convincing
story Of boy. but no one ever has"