Editor-in-chief

( Originally Published 1913 )

EVERYTHING appearing in the great city newspaper, except the advertisements, is under the direction and control of an official known as the editor-in-chief. He may be the principal owner, or be financially interested in his newspaper. If his position is purely a salaried one, he, of course, must follow the' policy established by the proprietor.

The editor-in-chief usually writes the leading editorials, the . others being prepared by his assistants, who are known as editorial writers, and of whom I have spoken in another chapter.

With hardly an exception, editors-in-chief arose from the ranks, and served apprenticeship in the reportorial department, mastering every detail of newspaper work from the bottom up. Many of them began at the case, and are familiar, from experience, with the mechanical side of newspaper making.

Probably the majority of editors-in-chief, except those who began their careers many years ago, enjoyed a college education, and all of them have passed through liberal and extensive experience.

There are in this country, several great editors, who graduated from the School of the World, and whose academic education is limited to the common school ; but this condition does not depreciate the value of a liberal education.

To succeed, the editor-in-chief must be familiar with every department of newspaper work, and he must keep in the closest touch with local, state, national, and international affairs. He must possess unusual discretion and discrimination, and be a good executive as well as an able writer.

Outside of the business department, the editorin-chief is virtually a commanding general, in direct and exclusive control of every department, and he should not be ignorant of commercial affairs.

The editor-in-chief receives the largest salary paid by the newspaper, except those given to the publisher and business manager, and often he ranks with them, so far as remuneration is concerned. His salary is seldom less than five thousand dollars a year, and from that up to twice that amount, or to even fifteen or twenty thou-sand dollars, although comparatively few are paid more than seven or eight thousand dollars.

As many editors-in-chief financially control their newspapers, or have interests in them, it is frequently difficult for the underjournalist to attain this position, unless he is able to accumulate a sum sufficient to procure a part ownership, or is of unusual brilliancy and possesses tremendous executive ability.

Connection between the business or publishing department and the editorial and reportorial departments is through the editor-in-chief or man-aging editor, who acts as executive officer, and who communicates the policy of the paper to his subordinates.

On the great metropolitan newspaper, the editor-in-chief, although in actual command, may have little to do with the employment of others than those who come in direct contact with him. With the consent and advice of the proprietor, he appoints the heads of departments, and holds them responsible for their work and that of their subordinates. Every day be'' presides at a conference attended by the editorial writers, and frequently by the heads of departments, including the publisher or his representative.

Although most of the great newspapers employ a managing editor, as well as an editor-inchief, occasionally one person occupies both positions.

The office of editor-in-chief of the smaller daily newspaper, and of the country weekly, is usually vested in the proprietors, or in one of them.