The Press: Efficiency in Cincinnati

For six months, the dark-suited strangers circulated politely through the newsroom of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Six times an hour they approached each staffer with the same question—"What are you doing?" Everybody knew who they were: efficiency experts from Chicago's Alexander Proudfoot Co. Last week everybody knew the result of their visit: it was all too easily measured by the empty space where desks had been moved from the newsroom.

Rolling Heads. Among the 24 Enquirer staffers eliminated in the name of efficiency were two photographers, seven newsmen, the editor of the Sunday feature page—and Managing Editor Ralph L. Holsinger. The Proudfoot ax also...