Evening star., 1951-01-09
Gideon Allen Lyon Dies at 83;
Served 81 Years on Star Staff
Retired Associate
Editor Devoted Life
To Newspaper Work

/ VI Vic Quail VI 4IlC OVAL 1OT o /
years before his retirement three
years ago, died at a nursing home
in Montgomery County, Md, yes
terday afternoon. He had been in
failing health for more than six
months but had been hospitalized
only a week.
| Funeral services will be held at
Christ Church. Georgetown, at
o'clock Thursday afternoon with
burial at Rock Creek Cemetery.
Pallbearers will include: B. M.
McKelWay, editor of The Star; C.
Gould Lincoln. James Waldo Faw-
cett, John AIDE Plugge, Carter Fort,
Rear Admiral George H. Fort and
Col. Ivan McElroy.
Successfully reporter, editorial
writer and associate editor, Mr..
Lyon devoted his life to newspaper
work with enthusiasm and a
natural talent for writing. Most
of his interests were those which
broadened his understanding of
public issues.
Mr.. Lyon belonged to a genera
ton OF WashingtonianS who saw
the city emerge from comparative
provincialism to play a role of
primary Importance in world af-
fairs. He was an observer, COM
mentator and participant in the
life of the community and trav-
eled widely abroad to keep pace
with the times.
The associate editor was retired
officially on January sl,. 1948, al
though he had Withdrawn grad
ually from his active duties over
period of several years. Until the
early winter of 1948, however. he
appeared regularly at the edi-
torial offices to keep in touch with
what was going on or to write an
occasional article.
Mr.. Lyon lived for many years
at 209 Rosemary street, Chevy
Chase, Md, with his wife, the
former Florence Louise Russell,
whom he married April 81, 1893,
at Mrs. Lyons former home in
Adrian, Mich. The couple had a
son, Rowland Lyon of Washing
ton; daughter. Mrs. Louise Lyon
Thompson of Mansfield, Pa; four
grandchildren and six great
grandchildren.
Idea of Ideal Newspaper"
During his lifetime Mr.. Lyon
never lost his faith in the judg-
ment of an enlightened public.
He held the function of the press
was to help mold popular opinion
by presenting the facts accurately,
fully and without bias.
His Ideal newspaper" he once
Told a Washington audience, lis
one that is entirely and invariably |
and that is conserva-
i've in the presentation of news"
He pointed out. however, this |
does not mean that the ideal
newspaper should be without po-
litical views and should not pre-
sent expressions of judgment.upon
public questions, whether they
relate to Political partisanship or
not.
1T means that its editorial
opinions should be grounded on
honest judgment as to the merits
or dement's of measures, of ac-
tons. of proposals regardless of
the fortunes of individuals or po-
litical parties"
Mr.. Lyon struggled long and
tirelessly for many improvements
now taken for granted-elimina-
lion of grade crossings, installa-
lion of double tracks on railroads, |
replacement of outmoded bridges
and extension of Washington S |
park system.
Backed Park System.
Another of Mr.. Lyons cam
oaigns was for putting unsightly
5rolley, telegraph and electric
wires underground. He was a
friend of the public park system
and resisted every effort at en-
The welfare of Federal employees
was subject close to Mr.. Lyons
heart. He pleaded eloquently for
the establishment of a pension
system and the extension of civil
service benefits.
On the occasion of his 50th an
niversary with The Star, Novem-
ber 10. 1887. the late Theodore w.
Noyes, editor, described him as
IAN able and forceful writer on
a wide range of subjects-local,
national and international--and'
as the producer or supervisor Of
ten thousand editorial pages"
Mr.. NoyeS told the golden
jubilee" party in Mr.. Lyons hon
or that the associate editor "has