The Washington times., 1936-12-25

Clear Philosophy
He was the son of Albert
Brisbane, who was himself a
brilliant scholar, a disciple of
Charles Fourier, the noted
French teacher of socialistic
doctrines, and writer and lee
turer of considerable ability.
Prolific Writer
He dictated a great deal of his
copy to a dictaphone. After his
dictation was transcribed he care.
fully corrected the copy with a
pen. He not only was skilled
write; he was an able copy reader,
In fact, there was no phase of the
editorial business that Mr.. BriS-
bane was not thoroughly familiar
with.
He was highly imaginative, pos
sessed an astounding memory and
had the stmaina to work long
hours and very hard. He never
spared himself.
The great editor was familiar
figure at major news events, such
as national conventions and major
murder trials. On such occasions
his energy and ability amazed
other newSpapermen. He thought
nothing of turning out thousands
of words a day on running
story" His literary output, if
bound in volumes, would fill a
large-size library.
On one occasion, while writing
an editorial, he groped for the
name of the man who had en-
dowed a college with the proviSo
that no clergyman ever be per-
mitted to enter the institution.
He sent query out to the city
room where an ex-Philadelphian
Immediately supplied the lack by
saying:
at was Girard College lin
PhiIadeIphia) founded by
Stephen Girard."
That pleased him nightly.
Mr.. Brisbane, known to his as
sociateS as "A. B" as Mr.. Hearst
is known as wv. R." was never
too busy with his editorials, daily
or Sunday, and his Today column
to observe closely the handling
of news stories on the New York
Evening Journal, when he was
editor of that newspaper.
Watched News Closely
He made frequent suggestions
to the managing editor and city
editor and contributed the en-
richment of many a great story
from his memory of parallel news
events in the past.
Nor did his heavy duties as an
editor and editorial writer ever
dull the edge of his reportorial
pen. From time to time he would
cover" a big story in person.
and then the readers of the Hearst
newspapers would enjoy a mental
feast indeed. Skillful as an in
terviewer, persuasive to a high de-
gree, it was "a. B." who induced
AL Capone, Chicago's notorious bad
man, to unburden himself to him.
This interview made journalistic
history.
PrOdigiOus Worker
His mind was always at work
and he crowded into a day an
amount of concentrated thinking
that would tax the ordinary man
if spread over a week. In his auto
mobile he had debating machine
on which he was in the habit of
recording editorials as they came
to him while riding to and from
his office. It was an insight into
his mental processes to listen to
one of his wakes" Sentences of
limpid English were interrupted
by instructions to Emil, one of his
secretaries, to verify this or that
quotation, historic fact or date.
When he left the Evening
Journal office each evening a
copy boy" accompanied him from
his office to his home or to the
railroad station if he happened to
be going out of town. The busy
editor would stalk along the corri-
dors of the building, his eyes in
tent on the copy Of an editorial
which he had just finished. Inter
lineations and corrections would
be made as he walked as he des-
cended to the elevator, as he rode
in his automobile.
Although the popularity Of his
writings was universal, Mr.. Bris-
bane occupied unique position in
the hearts of the foreign-born,
particularly in New York city.
Many a newcomer to America,
the asylum for the oppressed of
! all the world" learned to read
English through the medium of
The Journal. That was part proof,
at least, of the validity of Mr..
Brisbane'S contention that news
paper story should be written in
simple language.
Patriotism Noted
His patriotism was reflected day
after day in his writings. During
his numerous transcontinental
trips his Today column glowed
with descriptions of what he saw.
Like Walt Whitman he was for
ever impressed by the country in
which he was born. II hear Amer
ica singing" he might have said
along with the good gray poet OF
Camden.
Although he was undoubtedly
ono of tho host road and hact in