Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 11.djvu/325

 A LABORATORY EXPERIMENT IN JOURNALISM 309

ment was betrayed in giving the Prussian wedding " follow story " a place on the front page, when the afternoon papers had covered the event rather fully. The one bad " break " was in an equivocal " hanger " in the heading of this same news item. It read "Oldest Son of Emperor William and Duchess Cecilia Married Yesterday." In general, the news was presented in a straightforward fashion, and the heads were especially well done, terse, and vivid, without frivolity or smartness. No important local event was wholly overlooked, and the condensation of the Associated Press report showed good judgment and a fair degree of skill. The amateur editors were naturally gratified by the many friendly comments of practical newspaper men who frankly expressed surprise at the excellence of the result.

It would be easy to overestimate the significance of this experiment. It must be remembered that it was made under the most favorable conditions : a class of more than average ability, several of them with some experience in journalism, one an employee of the Associated Press; editorial writers of maturity and scholarly training; the co-operation of four city editors; 5 careful, preliminary practice; expert, professional proofreaders; a well-organized mechanical department; and this was of much moment a quiet, normal news day. Nevertheless, the attempt and the training which preceded it did show that it is possible to give under university auspices a practical introduction to the technique of newspaper work as distinguished from that general culture which is already provided. Whether distinct schools of journalism are possible or desirable is a question which may be left for the decision of time and experience. It seems, however, quite worth while to offer college and university courses which shall deal with the practical problems of newspaper work. Whether the practice-paper idea is practicable as a regular device, or whether some other plan would serve the purpose better, it at

6 The writer has found newspaper men unfailingly friendly and always ready to give aid. In this case these city editors sent out with their own reporters the amateurs of the Daily Times. It should be noted, however, that no newspaper men even visited the Journal office during the trial, which was carried through without professional advice or supervision.