The Washington herald., 1922-03-19

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Intredscine roy McCardeii.

IntrcducinE Roy McCardeiL
New York. March 1s.--up In New
Rochelle there Is stately mansion
that is monument to the prize
winning proclivities Of, it's owner.
1t was built from the proceeds of
an uncanny knack in grabbing off
first prizes in popular contests in
newspapers, magazines. moving
pictures and puzzles of all sorts.
The prize-winning genius Is known
to newspaper readers and movie
fans from coast to coast as Roy L.
McCardell. The l.. stands for Lar
com, from the Greek LARGO. mean
Ing "Tweet! The Lark" or some
thing like that McCardelI is a
professional humorist, which means
that he has made humor pay In
more ways than one.
In repose McCardell looks like
Buddha He bulges around the
vest and wears a No. 10 shoe ant
his face is full of wrinkles from
working out puzzles. Aside from
all this he is not unpleasant to the
eye.
McCardell was born in Hagers.
town, Nd, and is in his mid-4o's.
His first newspaper work was a
reportorial job in Birmingham.
where he covered the morgue and
hotels. In 1890 he crashed into
New York wearing a derby hat two
sizes too small and checkered
suit that is popularity supposed to
be the inspiration for the Cubist
craze in art.
When he went around to the Eve
ming Sun for job the bright-faced
young peashooter at the gate told
him they didn't permit passing out
samples. He thought McCardlll
was advertising something. when
McCardell explained that he was
looking for job he was ushered
into the presence of the racing ed
itor forthwith.
He wrote special stories on the
Evening Sun and then went over to
the New York World. where he
started The Jarr Family" series
which has been running ever since.
At various times he was connected
with the Morning Telegraph and
Puck and was once editor of the
Metropolitan Magazine. but all the
time he received a salary from the
World. And he still does.
He has won more than $50 prize,
at different times. In 1911 he won
the Leaders Of the World" adver-
tising ideas competition from over
10000 contestants-S2,00 in cash
and a silver trophy worth $1,000.
The same year he won the $1,000
first prize in the New York Tele-
graph -Flamingo Film Company
scenario contest.
His biggest prize was $4,000 in
cash for the best moving picture
serial in newspaper contest. 1t
was called THE Diamond from the
Sky" When he Jumped his prizes
together he found that he had
enough money to buy the fine man.
sion of landlord who had once
raised his rent. McCardell has a
humor factory in one of the Fifth
avenue buildings and keeps regu-
lar Office hours.
He keeps in touch with prize
contests through clipping bureaus
and scarcely a week passes with
out a telegram reading You win.
Check is being mailed today"
Three of his musical comedies
have been produced on Broadway
and he has written 800 scenarios
all of which have been filmed. Six
of his books have been published
So it is easy to see he has led quite
a busy life.
His boon companions are Irwin
Cobb. Bob Davis. Ray Long. Arthur
Hopkins. Harry Leon wilson. when
he's in town, and Franklin P. Ad-
ans. Once he edges into the SAL
airy list his name remains there.
Aside from his weekly stipend from
the Evening World he has been on
the payroll of the Morning Tele-
graph for three years.
New Rochelle has perpetuated
HRS fame by calling one of its widt
avenues McCardelI avenue.