A Classic Example

About two months ago nearly every newspaper editor in America committed the sin for which (in the eyes of the profession) there is no forgiveness. They allowed themselves to be "played for suckers" by a press agent. Harry Reichenbach juggled the names of Otto Kahn and the Green Room Club, and thereby got free publicity for Reigen--columns of it in every paper. Reigen is a play by Schnitzer, a great dramatist, but the point which Reichenbach took pains to "put over" was that it was immoral. How many of the millions who read the "story" knew that it was manufactured news? Most editors are sorry it happened. Coming so soon after the Chaplin-Negri wedding stunt, it may at least serve to increase editorial caution.