Evening star., 1939-09-24

HAT 5 tndt! well, gentlemen, you
W myself; am modest man . You
want copy of my speech? never write
speeches beforehand In exactly five
minutes I've got to be on the platform - 50
what else do you want to know?
How l began life - my first break?
What sent me into American politics? The
cub reporter who said l was born with a
golden megaphone in my mouth intended a
compliment. and bow. As matter of fact,
began as cub reporter myself - in Scotland.
don't mind telling you, had to leave the
old home town in hurry. That's what brought
me to the States.
My boss was man named Aitchinson He
was owner r-editor of The Weekly Gazette, and
his worried look was famous all over the border
country. He had a passion for truth, that old
journalist with the thick spectacles and
dropping mustache he honestly believed his
leading articles kept the torch of justice
burning in that darkened land of cakes and
ale He called me into his room one morning
"MacTaggart," he said, yell cover that
meeting in the Toon Hall on Thursday even
ing. It's a vera important meeting to discuss
the new waterworks scheme
Its great pity we've got to go to press
. Thursday afternoons" l said. 1T means we
can't publish the report till next week s issue.
1T cannae be helped, MacTaggart. The
Gazette has been in the hands o its readers
first thing Friday morning for the last forty
years. We must gang to press as usual at
four o'clock on Thursday" He banged his fist
on the desk. IF the toon council had any
sense O. decency, they wouldnae hold an
important meeting on Thursday evening. !"
I've mind to write it up beforehand - :"
Aitchinson was Mortified. MacTaggart, the
Gazette has never stopped to sich thing!'
Sorry, sir. said. I'm keen to get ahead
of those fogies on the Chronicle"
"Dinnae despise our rival" said Old
Aitchinson. Its fine old-fashioned paper. !"
80 old fashioned" said, that they d run
Uncle Toms Cabin as serial and think
they'd got SCOOP"
mot bad idea - began Old Aitchinson,
but stopped when he saw the look gave him.
He always wrote his leading article on
Thursday morning, but when l got to the
office found message to say he was in bed
with a chill. l cycled out to his house. He
looked pretty bad. MY leader" he groaned.
1--WE never been sick on a Thursday before"
Don't worry sir" l said. I'll write it
myself"
He groaned again. 1--WE got nae wish to be
unkind, MacT Taggart, but do ye realize
Il mean, you will write it, sir, said; III
take it down to your dictation."
Thank ye kindly, MacTaggart,' he said
huskily About subject -"
There's only one topic this week - the
new waterworks. Everybody's enthusiastic,
except old Alec Campbell who always has a
grumble happen to know the council are in
touch with local contractor" didn't tell
him Id got this privately from the con-
tractors daughter particularly nice girl.
Take strong line, sir" urged.
"Mebby your richt." muttered Old
Aitchinson, and did his best to clear his
throat as got paper and pencil ready.
When l sent it to the printers l wondered
if he'd have recognized his own article. He
had given me permission to pass it for press,
and l touched it up bit. making it plain
that the Gazette was backing the waterworks
scheme up to the hilt As soon as got the
proof, l went along to see the Town Clerk. He
was putting on his hat to 60 out.
II cannae see ye the now, young man, he
n