The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-02-22
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A Short Story
By JOHN GREGORY


LOOMS looked over the manuscript !
- in silence while Horace Spencer
annously waited for his verdict. To
the author he was like an immense
Budda-a Budda with the mouth of
carp.
Slowly the bald head shook from
side to side. Spencer, I'm afraid your
articles are not suited to our pub
LEGATION"
1t was a death sentence. Feebly the
author replied, But 1 have spent six
months touring the Soviet Union. I
have given a true picture Of condi-
tions there. Surely the American pub
lie is Interested"
A curious, quizZical smile passed
over the loose lips Of the editor of the
Friday Pillar. As you know, ours is q
weekly magazine with an immense
circulation. True enough, we need a
series Of articles on the Soviet. The
public Graves them" He paused and
looked shrewdly at the author. Loomis
knew that Spencer had had degree
OF success as lecturer and writer on
sex topics. Now, he thought, the poor
innocent is Yenturing into unfamiliar
fields.
Continuing, Loomis leaned across
the mahogany desk and tapped a gold
pencil for emphasis. But, we also
have the best advertisers in the coun-
try. And they bring in the money. We,
er, owe them certain obligations. Do
make myself clear?"
DESPERATELY Spencer tried TO
~ understand. A conceited little man
without much imagination, he loved
luxury, women, and fine clothes. ALI
cost much money. And money de-
pended on this editor.
| With a sinking heart he saw van
ishing the worshipping audiences of
well clad men and women, mostly
women. And he knew that if LOOMS
took his articles lecture bookings
would come pouring in. If he did not,
well, Horace Spencer might have to
go to work. The prospect frightened
him
Vivid pictures passed in his mind
as the editor waited. OF that vast
country across the sea, where millions
OF workers and farmers were success
fully forging wondrouS future He
had tried to put some of the enthus-
iassn for what he had seen into his
articles. Also, he saw his platinum
blonde nlistress-she who wanted a
fur coat And somehow, irrelevantly,
he thought of bedraggled young girl,
a prostitute, who had accosted him
timidly that morning.
AND strangely, that last thought
n connected up with LOOMS. 1t
seemed to give him q vague idea of
what the man was driving at. The
idea grew clearer.
Spencer swallowed hard. 'Er, there
are other things I might put into my
articles. All, I might revise my con-
illusions" He looked up questioningly.
LOOMS smiled and nodded vigor-
ouSly. mo doubt you saw starvation
and famine over there, and observed
a lot Of failures in the program Of
industrialization?
"Ah, I have heard stories" The dose
was little strong, even for Horace
Spencer.
Not enough" replied LOOMS,
shaking his head vigorously. Nov
frankly, We want a series of articles
that will discourage our readers from
trying to duplicate the Russian ex-
pertinent. The articles must give first
hand pictures The pay will be very
good"
Strangely, the picture Of the prosti-
tute came again into Spencer's mind.
Loomts' words rang, 1.-THE pay will be
very good" Ali He smiled brightly
and said, "I1l rewrite my manuscript
and revise my conclusions. I under
stand now"
"Fine!" LOOMS said, a trifie con-
teInptuouSly, as he shook the soft
hand offered him. He added, Let me
have the first article next week. Five
Thousand words have no doubt but
what it will be acceptable. Goodbye"
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