The Press: The Growing Ridders

Since Herman Ridder, an immigrant's son, bought the German-language New York Staats-Zeitiing in 1890, the publishing Ridder clan has grown to three sons and eight grandsons—and their newspaper empire has kept pace. This week Ridder Publications Inc. bought the only two dailies in Pasadena. Calif., the evening Star-News (circ. 41,120) and the morning Independent (circ. 35,588). Reported total cost: $4,500,000. That made six California newspapers picked up by the Ridders in 3½ years, giving them a monopoly not only in Pasadena but also in Long Beach and San Jose—all fast-growing areas.

In all....