The Times, 1970
And I found this, which was far too interesting not to share:
Sept. 26, 1971, by Nick B. Williams
Lynn’s phone call relating the sad news of Tony’s passing stirred a lot of
memories of my 23 years–most of them under his leadership–as a Times editorial
writer and weekly columnist on the op-ed page. He was a gifted editor who ran
the editorial page, the op-ed page and the Opinion Section with strength, good
humor and integrity.
memories of my 23 years–most of them under his leadership–as a Times editorial
writer and weekly columnist on the op-ed page. He was a gifted editor who ran
the editorial page, the op-ed page and the Opinion Section with strength, good
humor and integrity.
Over the years his stable of editorial
writers included, to name a few, Roy Ringer, Phil Kerby, Marv Seid, Jack Burby,
Lou Fleming, Al Shuster, Sid Bernstein and Frank Del Olmo. The fundamental
decisions on editorial policy were, of course, made by the editor and publisher
in consultation with Tony after the "big meeting" each morning in the
Publisher’s Suite. But the preliminary gatherings at which proposed editorials
were discussed by the editorial writers were an important part of the
process. These were spirited sessions in which each editorial writer was free
to sound off, even on topics outside his or her field of specialization–and
even if our views conflicted with those of Tony, Otis Chandler or the editor of
the newspaper. Nobody won all the arguments, but under Tony’s calm, cool
approach everybody had a say then walked away as friends.
writers included, to name a few, Roy Ringer, Phil Kerby, Marv Seid, Jack Burby,
Lou Fleming, Al Shuster, Sid Bernstein and Frank Del Olmo. The fundamental
decisions on editorial policy were, of course, made by the editor and publisher
in consultation with Tony after the "big meeting" each morning in the
Publisher’s Suite. But the preliminary gatherings at which proposed editorials
were discussed by the editorial writers were an important part of the
process. These were spirited sessions in which each editorial writer was free
to sound off, even on topics outside his or her field of specialization–and
even if our views conflicted with those of Tony, Otis Chandler or the editor of
the newspaper. Nobody won all the arguments, but under Tony’s calm, cool
approach everybody had a say then walked away as friends.
Wearing my other hat as op-ed page
columnist on national and international affairs, I was often out of tune with
our editorials on the same subjects. But Tony never told me what to write or
not to write–nor, for that matter, did Otis Chandler, Tom Johnson, Nick
Williams or Bill Thomas. It was a great way to make a living.
columnist on national and international affairs, I was often out of tune with
our editorials on the same subjects. But Tony never told me what to write or
not to write–nor, for that matter, did Otis Chandler, Tom Johnson, Nick
Williams or Bill Thomas. It was a great way to make a living.
Even in that golden era, there were
people on the corporate side who tried to influence editorial policy. Tony was
the frequent target of those pressures but never, to the best of my knowledge,
gave in to them. Tony was more than a friend. He was a consummate
professional. In this era of transition to a different kind of journalism,
Tony and people like him really will be missed.
people on the corporate side who tried to influence editorial policy. Tony was
the frequent target of those pressures but never, to the best of my knowledge,
gave in to them. Tony was more than a friend. He was a consummate
professional. In this era of transition to a different kind of journalism,
Tony and people like him really will be missed.
Ernie Conine
Lakeway,
Texas
Texas
ladailymirror.com 