Page:History of Oregon Newspapers.pdf/197

188 young Hyman H. Cohen, who is market editor of the Journal after more than 37 years on the paper. Young Cohen, who had had a bit of newspaper experience, some of it in Alaska, put on an intensive drive to get himself on the Journal payroll and apparently had failed. On the day when the paper was to come out, the insistent young reporter beat the managing editor to the Journal's doorstep. Cohen recalls that Wasson repeated an offer of $9 a week to stay off the staff, but Cohen wanted the job. Wasson shrugged his shoulders and put the young fellow to work. His first detail, selfselected, was the market beat—which he never left—together with east-side and suburban news. When he started reporting markets he didn't know wheat from barley; but the years of study and experience have made him a widely recognized market authority.

Nineteen years afterward, Hyman H. Cohen described in the scene when the first paper came off the press at 3 o'clock that Thursday afternoon, the 10th of March, in a storeroom of the old Goodenough building, Fifth and Yamhill streets.

"The lone Hoe press," wrote Mr. Cohen, "began to grind out the initial copies of the Journal. Grind out is really a good expression, because it was literally the case. For a day or so it was impossible to adjust the press to a point where good printing was available, and most of the first issue was badly torn and frayed.

"There was an anxious crowd in front of the new paper's home. Newsboys were there in force because the establishment of the new paper meant much to them. It not only meant increased business, but it likewise was the opening wedge whereby the newsboy became more independent. ..

"People besieged the new publication office to subscribe for the new paper. The business was far greater than the old press could take care of, but people were patient. . . even though many of them did not receive the Journal until 9 o'clock at night. ..

"When I wrote my first market report on March 10, 1902, the price of eggs at wholesale was but 13½ cents a dozen, while cheese was 14 cents a pound. . . You could purchase the very best hams at 15 to 17½ cents a pound. . . Sugar sold down to $4.35 a sack.

"How well I remember that March 10. . . It was the birth of a new era for Portland—and it was my birthday."

The little Journal was unimpressive in those few months when it was struggling merely to keep alive. It appeared to be dying when the attention of Sam Jackson, successful Pendleton publisher, who was building up the East Oregonian, was called to it.

The paper did not cost Mr. Jackson very much—a few thousand dollars; but the story is, that some time after the purchase he sighed over his bargain; he had bought little except an entrance to a difficult