The newspaper boys of the state might be interested in a plan the Western World of Bandon has of reminding subscribers that it is customary to occasionally drop a dollar and a half at the office in order to keep them in good standing. Each week is published, in one corner at the bottom of the first page, an “Honor Roll,” giving the names and addresses of new subscribers and those who have renewed during the week.
The plan has proved a wonderful success from a financial standpoint, the subscription receipts having more than doubled each month since this idea was put into practice, and this without sending out statements.
Noticing the names in the “honor roll” each Week, subscribers naturally are reminded of their own obligations in that respect, and, being re minded week after week, they are bound to act sooner or later.
When returns begin to fall off the Western World heads the list with a little confidential talk about the constantly increasing cost of production, etc., thus, in a good natured way, making a direct appeal. immediately takes effect.
Occasionally one pays up and requests that his name be not included in the roll. Such requests of course are complied with, but the remittance comes in just the same and there is no harm done.
It is surprising the amount of interest the roll creates. In giving addresses quite frequently local residents are brought in touch with some of their old friends, who had formerly lived here, but of whom they had lost trace. In a number of instances old acquaintances have been renewed.
The “honor roll” has been a winner for the Western World; it ought to be for others.
Miss Dorothy Evans of Roseburg has joined the staff of The Dalles Chronicle as reporter. She studied journalism at the Oregon Agricultural College, and until she resigned to accept a position with the Chronicle was employed on the Roseburg Review.
The Portland Journal city room has been rather upset for a week during the installation of a new system of indirect lighting and a rearrangement of desk room.
John Stevenson, formerly with the Portland Telegram, later municipal judge, and now practicing law, is directing publicity for the war saving certificates and thrift stamp campaign. “Judge” Stevenson is being assisted by Sam Raddon, Jr., Northwest editor of the Portland Journal.
Fred Lockley, staff correspondent of the Portland Journal, has left for New York, whence he will sail December 17 for France to engage in Y. M. C. A. war work. When asked whether he would consider going to Europe, he said that he would not consider it, but he would go.
M. Fitzmaurice, editor of the Times, Condon, is a patriot, spelled in upper case. When the government’s war savings certificates and thrift stamp campaign was launched, Editor Fitzmaurice announced in his paper that he wanted Condon to go over the top in its subscriptions to the new fund. To get things started in that direction he set aside a couple of days during which he promised to buy a 25-cent thrift stamp for every grade school child who bought a stamp for himself. At the hour of going to press tabulation of the returns has not been completed, but it is safe to say that the editor, the children and Uncle Sam all win, hands down.
Lloyd Riches, manager of the Weekly Oregonian, has been elected secretary of the Oregon State Editorial association, succeeding Phil S. Bates of Portland, whose work now keeps him out of the state so much of the time that he feels that he is unable to handle the secretarial duties. Mr. Riches is one of the most active members of the association. He took a prominent part in the program given at the 1917 convention of the association at Pendleton. Before accepting his present position with the Oregonian, he was editor and publisher of the Stanfield Standard.
