Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-16

around was remarkable. Something that
never slipped by him was q biased or
unfair presentation made on the au-
thority of the Associated Press. No
matter what his own feelings may have
been in matters of controversy, as for
as the news report was concerned he
held the balance true.
Son Lost on Lusitania.
This was tragically illustrated during
the World War, when his own son, Her
bert Stuart, was lost in the sinking Of
the Lusitania by a German U-boat.
Some time before Mr.. Stone had lost
his only other son, Melville E., after a
long period of Ill health, and the death
Of Herbert was a crushing blow. Her.
bert had sailed for Europe bearing let
tiers of introduction from Count Won
Bernstorff, the German Ambassador at
Washington, who, in the rage and hor-
ror aroused by the crime against help
less neutralS, was openly accused OF
having foreknowledge Of the fate of the
passenger liner. Mr.. Stone saw no more
of Won Bernstorff, nor cared to hear
his protestations of innocence, but such
was his sense Of justice that he did
make 1t known that he did not believe
the Ambassador could have wilfully sent
his son and other friends to their doom.
No man had greater cause to hate Ger
many, but whatever may have been in
his heart 1t should be recorded that
Mr.. Stone never wavered in his news
neutrality.
On that fateful day when the false
REPORT of an armistice was circulated by
another press association, Mr.. Stone was
one Of those who refused to be
stampeded. Satisfied that the report
could not be true, he again saw to 1t
that the A. p. stood pat"
Fair With Staff.
Mr.. Stone was equally fair with his
staff. He judged man not alone by
his actions, but with q consideration OF
his intentions.
"You cannot Judge a man rightly BY
'hindsight, he would say. when a
, man can show me that ne had a rea-
son for doing as he did, regardless OF
how the matter may have turned out
subsequently, will stand by him.
And he did.
His extraordinary powers of concen-
tration and terseness of expression were
illustrated in his correspondence His
letters were models He went to the
heart of subject Of correspondence as
he went to the essentials Of news
story. He could say more in one OF
two sentences than most men say in a
| dozen. His replies to attacks on the
Associated Press were usually short and
to the point. He had great patience
with those who criticized in ignorance
and he appreciated intelligent and de-
served criticism. He made short shrift
Of those whose attacks obviously were
dishonest or malicious. No one knew
better how to write the soft answer that
turneth away wrath or could strike
harder If the treatment seemed to be
required.
Always in Touch With Office.
Mr. Stone kept in touch with his
ofice around the clock. When he slept
was always a mystery. 1t was a COM
mon occurance for him to telephone
his office at or o'clock in the morn
ing and ask for the latest news. He
was particularly interested to know the
comment Of the morning papers in
London on any political matter Of ma
tional or International Importance. And
he wished to be disturbed" when any
thing unusual happened. regardless of
the hour. Ordinarily persons do not
wish to be aroused between 8 and Z in
the morning. but not so Mr.. Stone. To
a desk editor who telephoned him Just
before sunrise and apologized for so
doing, Mr.. Stone said:
Don't you worry about that. am
available "a hours of the day and night,
and wish to be called If there is any
reason whatever for calling me-
His mind functioned the moment ne
was awake. Very early one morning his
ONCE learned Of the death Of a news
paper man widely known In the West,
but OF whcm not much was available in