Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-07-25

in addition to the routine of police,
court and other news sources.
All in a Days Work.
When these stories are put on his
desk, he must read them for errors, er-
rors of all kinds, including names. He
must then write headlines suitable for
each. And ins these days headline is
supposed to tell the story.
This, in itself, seems enough for one
man, but for the city editor OF the
small town daily, it is a small task.
He must answer the telephone and
write items of news himself. He must.
act as copy boy and, on occasion, jump
in to help out the composing room and
make up" form, usually page one.
That isn't all.
His biggest job and one requiring
the most tact is in dealing with those
who want free advcrtising-propa-
ganda it would be called in the larger
cities, but in the smaller towns 1t is
classed as news and in many places
it makes up from one-third to one
half of all local matter carried in the
columns.
The city editor is proud of his town
and he boosts the town and every
worthy organization in it and every
thing the worthy; organization attempts
to do.
For instance, the Old Order Of Ur-
chins decides that it's hall needs re-
papering and that possibly new car
pet would improve its appearance. a
benefit is decided upon. The city edi-
tor is called upon to give free adver-
tising matter, not only the space in the
paper, but in nine cases out Of ten he
has to write it. The order will spend
S27S for paid advertising and in return
will receive $50 worth Of free adver-
tising, classed as news.
The senior class at the high school
decides to present its annual play. For
NAL announcement is made and the
city editor writes reams and rcams
about it.
Three girls in a small town conduct
cd classes in dancing, reading, and so
on. They decided to give a pageant.
1t was grand success and, as the re-
viewer said "a good time was had by
ALL" The girls paid about 81 for ad-
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of free publicity.
Every city has its booster organiza-
tions and the small town is no cxcep-
ton. Plans are advanced for this and
that Improvement; nearly all have
more or less merit and nearly all
would add to the beauty and dignity of
the town. Civic centers were the rage
few years ago, but the craze, like
jazz has spent its force. They would
have been a wonderful Improvement
for nearly every city.
But, and here's the rub, they cost a
lot of money. It's easy to plan what
should be done, but it's not so easy to
get the money TO do it.
Then alsr there are organizations in
various parts of each town to boost a
certain section. Parks. Fairgrounds,
schools, better streets, all are wanted.
And every one of these projects is
given unlimited space in the local
newspaper. And they should be, for
if all, or even onc-tenth, of the plans
were brought to fruton, it would be
a big thing for the small town.
And the small-town folk are proud
of their town and they like to read of
these plans. They like to believe that
some day their town will be big
! town. They're boosters, one and al,
and the city editor is their mouth
piece.
And he's a booster himself because
! he believes in his town and it's future
and because he knows his circulation.
He treats local propaganda as news pc
cause it is news in his town. He goes
on the theory that an ice-cream social
in the Presbyterian church is good
thing for the church. It's members are
known all over the city. They live in
all the wards Therefore, if he doesn't
boost their affairs, they won't boost his
paper.
In the pageant given by the three
girls, there may have been 100 other
girls who names could be used. These
girls like to see their names in the
paper. And he makes friends by put
ting them there-as long as they are
spelled correctly.
Courtesy and an even temper in any
one are admirable; to successful city
editor they are Indispensable. But
there are occasions when he loses his
temper, and one Of these is when an
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