The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-19
ON SECOND THOUGHT
BY JAY E. HOUSE.
(rrom Philadelphia Public LedEsr.e

Possibly you are interested in the
nature of the latest outrage. If SO.
this column, ever alert, is in position
to reveal it. I'VE learned what 1T is
as the detail fell hot from the lips OF
voluble and indignant gentleman
who was parked in the cigar store in
which we stopped on the way down
town yesterday morning. 1t is that on
Sunday mornings the Philadelphia
postoffice does not open for the sale
of stamps and postal cards until IL
o'clock. The reason we know 1t is
an outrage is that the voluble and
indignant gentleman said so.
Most of the outrages and nine
tenths of the great wrongs, we go on
to say as we tie the lash of comment
to the tail of fact, are like that. One
who waited at the postoffice until IL
o'clock Sunday morning in order that
he might purchase a postage stamp
probably would have nobody to write
to after he had concluded the negotia-
ton. If he wrote letter. the chances
are it would not be retrieved rom the
mailbox until late afternoon and that
it would not get into the mails until
early evening.
And so. If we seem cold and indif-
fersnt when the wrongs of the people
are mentioned. our lack of interest
may not be charged to a naturally
unsympathetic nature. II is that our
limited capacity for weeping and
too heavy a load.
Intimate Stuff.
Sir-Speaking of Mr.. Connelrs
story, "A Nose for News" I agree that
it was good yarn. but is it usual or
the exclusive information of the in
Observation-Disclosures mind you, of
big political boss, or any other lesser
light? Again, wasn't it pretty certain
that the act of the managing editors
boy would be general newspaper
property? Could a murder and sui
eide get by the other reporters and
wouldn't 1t have been printed by the
other papers If the managing editor
of the Public Ledger, for instance.
had tried to suppress it? The M. i.
in the story is a fine old bird, but Mr..
Cornell should have chosen a more
plausible method to show the moral
courage of his hero.
1t seems to me that George Weston
also slipped when in 1.-THE Maggot of
Misty Mountain he let the New York
newspapers fall for the fake $4,000
900 inheritance. Ask your NJ. e. if he
wouldn't have wired for the Denver
end, If that story had come into his
office, and thus spoiled the game when
word came back that the old uncle
didn't leave a sou to nobody"
A c. r.
Personally, we are not disposed to
sit critically in judgment on the fic-
zionist. or magazine contributor,
long as he writes of things that are
not true and things that never hap
pened. That is his field of endeavor.
and we yield to him the freedom of
movement and expression that are
rightfully his. And we take his out
put, or leave 1t. 1t is only when he
writes of things that have happened,
or are about to happen, that we suf-
fer excruciating agony.
There are, of course, some notable
exceptions to this sweeping arraign-
nfent--great reporters who are equal
fy alluring when they deaf with fancy.
But they are the exceptions.
an them was taught" postcards an
anonymous reader who has been go
ing thru the column for culls, sis the
third error in three weeks. Watch
your step"
Well, isn't three errors in three
weeks a pretty fair record for a man
who doesn't pretend to know much?
Is the esteemed post-carder doing as
well in his business?
And, at that. we were right in the
instance noted.
Grace is a young lady of five years
and also of very difficult disposition.
The other day visitor to her fathers
home found her weeping in a corner.
why. what are you crying about?"
she asked.
"'Cause all my brothers and sisters
have a vacation and don't have any
s.o