Hearst on Writing

Whatever people may think about what he writes, few practicing journalists can find professional fault with the way William Randolph Hearst writes it. Lately Washington Columnist Paul Mallon had the nerve to ask Publisher Hearst if his writings were all his own. Last week Mr Hearst replied as follows:

"You asked me if I write all the articles I sign. That, Sir, is not a very complimentary question. . . . I am a professional newspaperman, Mr. Mallon, and I have been working at the newspaper business--not playing with it, but working at it--day & night for over 50 years. . . . Of course I write my signed articles, and many more that I do not sign. . . . I do not think it is such a trick to write. Anybody who can think can write. . . .

"You ask me when I do my writing. I do most of it at night. There are so many executive problems during the daytime. . . . At night things cool off and quiet down. The stars come out. . . . Then--if ever--a stray thought is likely to come swirling out of the darkness like a bat and light on you. . . . I wish I could write books that live, like Dickens or Thackeray. . . . All I do is scratch down a few evanescent thoughts that are born in the night, and hardly live out the day. . . ."

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