News And Telegraph Editor

( Originally Published 1913 )

THE great newspaper employs one or more 1 officials known as news or telegraphic editors, whose duties are to read, edit, and correct the general news, most of which is received over the wire, the copy usually going to the desk readers for final revision; but these desk readers do not do more than make the necessary corrections. Most of the general and telegraphic news, except that which comes by special wire, is received from a news-gathering association, and is written upon thin paper.

News matter is without headings, and the editor must write in the headlines.

It is sometimes necessary to revise, or to pad out, the news, as telegrams are often quite concise, and admit of legitimate enlargement. For example : the paper receives the notice of the death of a prominent person. The editor adds to the telegram the life of the deceased and other information concerning him. The telegram itself may give only the date of his death. It is perfectly legitimate to attach to this any amount of matter about the person, even to the extent of several columns.

The paper receives telegraphic news about the dedication of a monument, or the opening of a railroad. The news editor has on file a large amount of information on the subject, and he adds this to the telegraphic report.

News and telegraphic editors must keep in close touch with the affairs of the world, and be able to diagnose instantaneously the value of a telegram.

They are paid from fifteen hundred to three thousand dollars a year.

The smaller papers may not maintain a general news department, the work being handled by one of the editors in connection with his other duties.