New Britain herald., 1929-01-19

gave an effective display Of his
knowledge of the art when he rode
into office the first time on the wave
Of popularity that had its formation
when he struck out boldly against
the management Of the Town Home
A dozen years ago ballyhoo was not
known generally by tho term, Just
as numerous other expressions had
not come into general usage. but In
present day affairs the former
mayors campaign declarations al
legations and accusations would
have fallen under just that classic
cation.
Paonessa Knows When to Stop
The present mayor. Angelo NJ.
Paonessa. also never fell short Of
the requirements for classification
among the successful opponents Of
the art. Quick to visualize the
psychological effect on the public.
OF wide circulation Of the Views Of
the city's chief executive on mat
tiers Of public moment. the mayor
has always taken advantage OF
whatever opportunity came his way
, in this respect. His success in the
political arena indicates In the
opinion Of political observers that
as a rule he has been careful not
to overdo 1t, for there IL danger In
the abuse and the art 10 BY no
means immune from the possibility
of being converted into a nuisance.
Ballyhoo has been made success
full and profitable use of In bust
ness ventures in this city. Properly
developed interest in any project Of
sufficient scope and importance to
attract wide public notice. such Al
the adding Of a large building to
a business section where the need
is apparent. or the replacing Of old
| landmarks Of modern structure. ID
considered and classed as ballyhoo
in exactly the same sense as 10 the
advance publicity that goes out and
the situations that are created for
public consumption. prior to a great
sporting event.
Not even among the clergy Il
there a ban against the exploitation
that Richard excelled in. 1t has
been resorted to by desperate
preachers and has had the effect Of
filling pews which otherwise would
have been vacant. 1t has been
known to attract men to church
affairs who had not been nearer to
stained glass windows than the side
walks were to the ediflce since their
childhood days, but that 1t had the
power to keep them going has fire.
quently been disputed.
Couldn't Frame the Editor
More than twenty years ago, when
newspapers in cities the size OF New
Britain were made by smaller forces
of men than have since been de-
manded by the progress OF the times
and the growth of the communities,
New Britain editor, who was also
a reporter and general utility man
in the reportorial department. was
brought face to face with ballyhoo
in pure, unadulterated form, but he
sidestepped 1t very emphatically.
He was alone at his desk In the
cramped quarters apportioned for
use as the city room when two box
ers entered. one noonhour. All they
wanted was a "write-up" on a fight
they were to take part in at the
Casino (now the Stanley Arena) on
Church street within week, so the
editor painstakingly noted all the
facts he considered necessary for
the proper sort of story. and thought
he had them well In hand but one
OF the boxers, apparently by pre-
arrangement with his compan MON.
cleared his throat ard leaning over
confidentially, whispered to the
! newspaperman that it would be we'll
to insert: There's bad blood be-
tween the boys and tough fight is
assured all the fans"
Had the incident occurred dozen
or fifteen years later. the editor
would not have been at all sur.
prised. AS 1t was. he developed a
fit of anger 50 genuine and severe
that he ordered the pugs out of the
office and threw his notes into the
waste basket. Some time during the
week the coming match was given
few lines in an obscure corner Of
the paper, the ballyhoo having failed
completely.
In some instances, one end Of the
country has been made to ring and
resound with the ballyhoo that was
started thousands Of miles away.
Again, the whole world has been
made to feel the effect Of the great
roise and to talk about 1t and pay
attention to 1t day after day. while
other situations. not so important
except In q local way. have been
broadcast through the medium Of
the printed word and the whispered
rumor. 1t has been designated as
press agentry and 1t has been classi-
fed as skillful exploitation. It has