A Lost Leader

Sixteen years ago a Socialist newspaper, The Call, was brought forth in Manhattan. It never flourished, but it managed to survive--for 16 years--on money contributions. It is estimated that nearly $1,000,000 was used to sustain its life by artificial respiration. On Oct. 1 of this year it changed hands. Several unions, notably a union of clothing workers, bought the paper. The pinko-progressive press hailed the change as an epoch in the annals of Labor and Journalism. But it seems that Labor is even less competent as a journalist than Socialism. The paper came too near the rocks and is in a fair way to suffer a sea-change, strange, if not rich.

It was born at the propitious moment of the Manhattan newspaper pressmen's strike. Being a labor paper, of course it was not subject to the strike, and published unimpeded while other papers were restricted in the size of their editions and numbers of papers printed. It could have had no better opportunity to get a " hearing " from the people of Manhattan.

In the metamorphosis to a labor paper, it changed its name from The Call to The Leader and came out with all the usual newspaper features except financial news--instead it carried "Labor News." Across its heading it bore the legend: " Not a millionaire's property--owned by 300,000 workers." As a newspaper it " had its points." It had a columnist reputed to be the best punster in Manhattan. But its editorial policy was radical.

Whether the good burghers of New York could not abide a radical editorial policy is uncertain. Certainly capitalistic advertisers could not. According to The Leader's statement, $75,000 was used up in operating expenses in the period immediately before and after its change of name. It also asserted that it doubled its circulation, from 10,000 to 20,000. Then the money ran out.

Formal announcement was made that The Leader was a success but that the union owners did not have enough capital to make it selfsupporting. Accordingly it suspended, hoping to resume.

While its staff was " seeking employment elsewhere" its able columnist paragraphed:

"Situation Wanted--Middle-aged male, easily exploitable, stylishly stout, desires position requiring minimum of effort and maximum leisure. Salary entire object."