The Press: The Press

Arbiter

New Orleans, in hot August, was threatened with a streetcar strike. Workers and operators were deadlocked over a minor absurdity. The strike order was posted. City officials gnawed their lips and wondered warily how a tie-up would affect their political credit. Newspapers printed bulletins and pleaded editorially for a reconciliation; pleaded wisely, impartial and aloof, but without much effect, as is the way with newspapers. Then occurred an episode unusual to modern journalism. Away from his piled-up desk in Union Street strode Editor Marshall Ballard of the New Orleans Item-Tribune. Like...

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