Classic Poem

THE EDITORS DECIDE

The news editor sits at his desk; he must decide on the instant
What must be used, what thrown away.
A new theory is advanced by a famous scientist
Who claims to subvert all our notions of matter —
He must be interviewed and his notions submitted to local authorities;
A new source of radium is discovered
Which will make it cheaper than platinum;
A new cure for cancer is announced by an unknown doctor;
A new flying machine is invented which will do away with express-trains;
A new record has been made by a newly-launched turbine-steamship;
An impecunious foreign prince or count arrives
Eager to find an American heiress
Ready to pay his debts in exchange for a title.

Thousands of strange, unaccountable, terrible, humorous incidents,
All going to make up the history of our times,
Are swept into the drag-net by eager correspondents;
Nothing escapes their hawk-like eyes; some are lies, some exaggerations.
The telegraphs reel out the dots and lines incessantly,
Instantly translated by quick hands and transcribed on the yellow slips.

In the editor's sanctum all the great questions of the day
Come into his jurisdiction and are food for comment.
The President makes a great speech at Provincetown
As he assists in laying the corner-stone of the Pilgrim Monument,
Or as he travels down the great waterways from Keokuk to Memphis
Enthusiastically advocating the use of this tremendous means of intercommunication,
Or prophetically showing the benefits to be derived
When the Atlantic and Pacific shall be eternally wedded.
Not a word that falls from his lips but is caught
And sent as on wings to be read by the people,
The editor weighs his utterances; if opposed trying to pick flaws,
But if fair-minded or of the same party, praising his views.