Page:History of Oregon Newspapers.pdf/12



THIS work, as many of my good friends know, has been a long time on the way. Some of the material here included was gathered as far back as 1923, not long after I had begun to edit Oregon Exchanges, a publication for Oregon newspaper folk, which was issued for 15 years by the University of Oregon School of Journalism and which was succeeded in 1932 by the present Oregon Publisher. Just when I discovered that I really was busy on this job I can't be sure. At one time Hal E. Hoss, Irl S. McSherry, and I discussed a plan to collaborate in writing Oregon's journalistic history. We were unable, because of adverse circumstances, to do this.

Dean Eric W. Allen of the School of Journalism urged me along at a time when the researching looked particularly tough. Mary Lou Burton Turnbull suggested I'd better get out this book instead of publishing an occasional monograph on phases of the subject. Arne G. Rae, while manager of the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association, made bales of helpful newspaper clippings avail able. His successor, Harry S. Schenk, has been doing likewise, relieving me of a great deal of newspaper-reading.

George H. Himes, grand old man of Oregon printing, almost the sole remaining link with the old pioneer days of the territory, has been exceedingly helpful with first-hand information. Miss Nellie B. Pipes, of the Oregon Historical Society, daughter of the first president of the Oregon Editorial Association, has taken no end of trouble finding invaluable sources and bits of information, besides giving much helpful advice. Dean Alfred Powers of the General Extension Division of the Oregon State System of Higher Education, writer of history and fiction, has offered suggestion and encouragement. Professor Edmond S. Meany and Dr. L. H. Creer of the University of Washington history department gave useful help on background and methods. Dr. R. C. Clark of the University of Oregon history department has given much encouragement.

Oregon editors and publishers, present and past, have in so many cases given valuable aid at the expense of much time and trouble that it is not feasible to list them here. Some of this help is acknowledged in text and footnotes; let it be said here that this help is grate fully appreciated. To some others appreciation already has been ex pressed in person. Still others were of considerable assistance. Dorothy Dill (Mrs. Ralph Mason) helped put an alarmingly bulky and recalcitrant manuscript in shipshape for the printers! Minnie Lee, historical researcher and feature-writer, wrote that most attractive blurb for the publishers. N. W. Ayer & Co., Philadelphia, made their entire file of newspaper directories available for the copying of data. This copying was capably done by Charles M. Snyder of the University of Pennsylvania history department.