Show Some SOllIe Like Them I 1 Bold 0 By ARTHUR M. M YORK McClure Newspaper Syndicate Features 7 W ALTER GATES sat straight as asa asa vv a rod although it was nearly four hours since he had started waiting waiting waiting wait wait- ing to see the managing editor He was poised hopefully on the edge of the chair as if he expected each minute might bring back the copy copyboy copyboy copyboy boy with the news that Mr Pool was ready to see him about the thc re reporting reporting re- re porting job But instead the photographer came around the corner for the fourth time from the direction of the clacking city room Walt Valt stopped him never get to see the theold theold theold old man sitting here Matey the photographer h informed ormed him He He hates appointments Funny that way Then how does anyone ever see him Walt VaIt inquired His forehead I was furrowed deeply up to the line of his thick blond hair He explained he had had a little reporting experience experience ence before Army service Now that he was discharged he wanted to get back into newspaper work He I shifted his weight from one foot to the other proving to himself again that the artificial legs they pass out these days are no handicap The photographer stepped closer to toVa Va Walt Wait t and spoke softly from the corner of his mouth He suggested I Walt WaIt break in on the chief But dont don't let on you know who he is I Ithe the photographer schemed I know a guy who got a job that way only he didn't know he was talking to Pool see I But I couldn't do that Walt pro pro- tested pro pro-I to stop you Pools Pool's a quiet guy but he likes em bold YI robs fJ A if 0 97 1 J Qi C p Fi J Qc Q 0 J P x JP f k t If But I think the paper is too neutral As Walter WaIter descended to the pressroom pressroom pressroom press press- room where the chief was the acrid odor of the etching acid reached him He had always thought it dis dis- pleasing But now he recognized it as part of the nostalgia every enthusiastic enthusiastic enthusiastic en en- reporter has for a newspaper newspaper newspaper news news- paper office It was akin to the unkempt unkempt unkempt un un- kempt appearance of city rooms and the crippled typewriters about which the reporters always complain Walt Valt casually observed the blur of newsprint threading through the presses and pretending he belonged there from the corner of his eye he hunted for Mr Pool All AIl the men wore the handmade boxlike caps which most pressmen fashion for themselves from a piece of newsprint newsprint newsprint news news- print paper paper all all except one Walt looked at him more closely He stood with his hands behind his back doing nothing bt but t t observe moaning machines He fitted exactly the photographers photographer's description of Mr Pool He wore large black- black rimmed glasses and his graying hair was parted far to one side Walt strolled casually up to him and they watched the presses together After waiting for Mr Pool to speak first Walt Valt ventured Theres no end to the he excitement of seeing the paper go to press is there He had to shout hout to be heard The man merely glanced at Walt Valt coolly over the dark rims ims of his glasses I 1 like the Post Walt resumed Its a good solid paper Lot of tradition tradition tradition tra tra- behind it But But heres here's where he took the photographers photographer's see cue He searched self-consciously self for ideas deas that were not his O own But I think the paper is too neutral It never gets excited about any- any thing hing Know what I mean There was still no remark from Mr Pool It lilt ought to have definite policies Ought to guide the thinking of its readers on important topics Yeah The man looked Walt sternly up and down I think the Post needs new blood Walt went on Young Youngblood Youngblood blood He considered giving himself himself himself him him- self as an example but decided against being too obvious Of Ol course its it's the men at the top who count where policies are concerned Perhaps the Post needs a new managing managing managing man man- aging editor He was sorry as S soon as the bold words had passed his lips ut set his comments had brought the mans man's head around with a jerk But now with Mr Pool glaring at him in apparent anger Walt could only add weakly What do you youth th think I think youre you're batty as a loon Joon Walt felt his He sought sough some way to escape as gracefully as possible But I wouldn't know the man added He brought his hands from behind his back anc and placed a boxlike paper cap on his his head Im only a pressman my my- self |