Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the city room.djvu/18

 gives 'the correct facts' the second day, and calls attention to the 'fake story' published by your rival. Then you privately censure your city editor and reporters for letting the other newspaper 'throw them down.' Meantime, the other fellow, who published the story first, is patting himself and his reporters on the back, 'jollying' his city and managing editors, and crowing over his achievement on his editorial page. The reporter who brought in the story, or the 'tip,' gets some praise, and possibly a check. His position on the newspaper is secure—until he makes his next mistake. Tersely expressed, a 'beat' is a story which only one newspaper gets, and which all the other newspapers wanted. A reporter with the right spirit will move heaven and earth to get it for the journal he represents."

"I 've just prepared a graceful tribute to you," he called out as he caught her eye. "The chief says you 're one of the most reliable members of the staff, can always be depended upon, and all that. They 've been talking about you this afternoon in the editorial council."