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THE OMAlIA SUNDAY BEE: JUNE 18, 1911.
WOMEN'S MAY DAY EDITION-Direct Affairs One Day,
We have been asked for a review of the Mar
Day Bee. Hoping to recall only pleasant memories
for the readtre, we cheerfully turn again In memory
to those days of new experience, and while
we found newspaper work not all romance,
neither waa It altogether devoid of its
pleasant side. There had even been a belief cur
rent la the minds of most of us that It must be, an
easy matter to produce a bright, Interesting, readable
and entirely satisfactory newspaper, views that were
found theoretical. Real knowledge la obtained only
through experience; in this respect the knowledge la
ours. Editors will .ever find ready sympathizers
among the May Day Dee coterie.
At a meeting of Presbyterian ladles, where the
needs of the Presbyterian hospital were being dis
cussed, one who haa ever .been. a leader and an Inspir
ing spirit suggested .the publishing of a paper as a
means of revenue for the hospital. . It was known that
women of other large cities had met with consider
able success In that line.. She argued that Omaha
women were as energetic and Intelligent as any In the
land. The need waa great; the effort needed to be
great. A meeting waa called of the women of all the
Presbyterian churches In the city to discuss and decide
the matter. Regarding the wisdom of this undertak
ing there was great difference of opinion, and It was
found that discussions must be closed, that immediate
determination was the one thing necessary. The op
position forces were in the minority, and lost Dls
feusslon, with the spice of opposition, had made some
ambitions enough to undertake almost any task. By
Vote It waa decided to try to find a publication willing
' to let the women try this experiment, the proceeds. If
there were any, to go to the Presbyterian hospital.
A committee of women was afforded the oppor
tunity to wait upon the editors of the leading dallies,
Instructing them as to our aggressive movement, and
presenting our modest request.
The Bee, being neatest to our place of meeting,
and having one of the finest and most complete build
ings In the country, and knowing Its editor is always
liberal when his sympathies are with the cause, the
committee decided to make its first appeal there. As
they were being elevated to the editor' sanctum, what
thoughts were theirs T -
Echoes of the questions they expected to have piled
to them. What ia to be Its religion or politics? Are
you goldbugs or stand on a free silver platform? How
much of the proceeds, will you contribute to the next
campaign fund? Is It tariff for revenue or free
trade? Do yon declare yourselves In favor of the
principles of the party of which I am a. leader? Ad
Infinitum! It was "16 to 1." Mr. Rosewater was
the one, and, with his usual singular power of analy
sis and hla quick conception, he discerned this at
once. ,
There were few questions asked, no restrictions
Imposed; the terms were, payment for nothing but
extra blank paper need and extra composing required
In Issuing the two editions. With assurances of his
best wishes for our unbounded success, his Journal
was ours for any date of Issue we might name, gra
tuitously and with all emolument. From that day the
editor was "out of town" if any of the women called
ttpon him. He had given up his idol, and, brave man
though he be, he could not stand by and see it man
aged by other hands.
TJse of The Bee Tendered.
Our first real enthusiasm was received by the re-
History of the Innovation of 1895-Contents of
The Bee Contributed by Members of Fair Sex
JC
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port of this committee. It Is no small undertaking for
a party of Inexperienced women to take hold of a
dally paper with a circulation of 20,000 and having
upwards of 150 employes, some of whom have had
many years of experience. A paper that for twenty
four consecutive years has had but one name as edi
tor upon Its editorial page. But the first critical
period was parsed. The journal was ours. With
modesty most rare , and simplicity exceptional, for
editors, the women became the publishers of two edi
tions of The Bee for May 1, 1895, the name of Rose
water not on the editorial page, and they responsible
for every line that appeared In the twenty-eight page
publication. " ' t
Tbe one idea dominant was success, and if popular
appreciation counts for anything In the line of success,
the. women have the satisfaction' of knowing The May
Day Bee was a success. We would not have the pub
lic believe we had none of the trials of an editor, and
an unvaried experience, but as a little side play, oc
casionally our trains collided with each other and the
public. However, with the tact, discrimination, and
self-sacrificing labor of our general manager,. these
were, so scientifically, managed that they were Boon,
forgotten and no damages had to be paid from our
assets. -
This brings to the writer's mind some of the funny
things that added to .our experience. Without at-
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THANKS FROM THE MAY DAY WOMEN.
tachlng much importance to them, let us just mention
one or two.
A subscriber for one number when offered her
paper at her door looked at it, with disappointment
plainly visible, and exclaimed, "Why I thought It was
to be printed on white satin;" at 6 cents a copy. An--other
asked, "When am I to receive my other num
bers?" When told that she had subscribed for only
one number for 6 cents, she said, looking the paper
over, "Is this all there Is of It? I thought I was to
have a dozen papers. I don't believe I want this," and
she was excused from the obligation of taking bo little
for so much money." Again, an employe in a bank,. a
man, refused to take his one copy and pay for it be
cause "It was not delivered before 5 o'clock," the
usual time. But the people of thia age are a generous
people with but few exceptions.
The time of preparation extended over a period of
six weeks. The number of actual workers was some
thing over 100. With two, possibly three, exceptions
this entire force waa wholly inexperienced in news
paper work. - They were not all Presbyterian women, .
as from other churches valuable assistance was ren
dered, and writers of well known ability were solicited
to contribute. Many from abroad gladly contributed
articles, 'and the South Ofaha women proved them
selves estimable assistants and lent efficient aid In va
rious ways. ' "; . . i . .
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The scope of the paper was to keep it a newspaper,
to retain as nearly as possible the everyday look of
The Bee, and originality. Original articles alone were
accepted, and although many excellent ones were re
ceived for reprint they were, without exception, con
signed to the waste basket. The advertising solicitors
met with' the most generous of receptions.
Women W ho Did the Work.
The staff of the Woman's May Day Bee was as fol
lows: - General Manager Mrs. George Tllden.
Assistant General Manager Mrs. F. B. Tracy.
Editorial Writers Mrs. John Gordon, Mrs. W. P.
Halford, Mrs. H. A. Wagner, Miss Clara Elder.
Telegraph Editors Mrs. Max Adler, Mrs. Frank
Barnard, Mrs. L. E. Skinner.
Exchange Editor Mrs. Charles D. Thompson.
Commercial Editor1 Miss Issie France.
Live Stock Editor- Mrs. Alexander G. Buchanan.
City Editor Miss Mary Falrbrother.
Assistant City Editors Mrs. W. S. Strawn, Miss
Josephine Moberly. .
Sporting Editor Mrs. Will Townsend. "
Reporters Mrs. Blanche L. McKelvy, Miss Bessie
Hlgglns, Miss May G. Acheson, Mrs. Cora- B. Latshaw,'
Mrs. C. F. Gardner, Mrs. Maude I. Wallace, Mrs. J; H.
Wheeler, Miss Comstock, Miss Dorris ,McM Aters,; Miss
Dell Porter, Miss Winnie Keene, Miss Minnie' Riley,
Miss Hallle Hood, Miss Anna Gullck. Mrs. Anna B.
Barnard.
Advertising Manager Mrs. Robert Hunter.
Advertising Solicitors Mrs. II. E. Cole, Mrs. J. C.
Morrow, Mrs. C. A. Starr. Mrs. Anderson, Miss Ella
Bracken, Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Esmond, Mrs. W. H.
Fahs, Mrs. N. Guild, Mrs. Hood. Mrs. S. K. Snauldlng,
Mrs. 11. M. Clanahan, Mrs. Crosby, Mrs. George Es
mond, Mrs. E. A. McEachron, Mrs. Newton, Mrs. O.
C. Williams, Mrs. Ruddy.
Treasurer Mrs. H. I Allen.
Manager of Circulation Airs. C. II. Townsend.
Assistant Managers of Circulation Mrs. J. N.
Kuhn, Mrs. J. C. Denlse, Mrs. A. P. Wood.
Ward Circulators Mrs. Arnout. Miss Bell, Mlsa
Hattle Kennedy, Mrs. Dunham, Miss Lydla McCague,
Mrs. Ed McEachron, Miss Emma Stiles, Mrs. Mary
Porter, Mrs. Kuhns,' Mrs. George W. Slabaugh, Mrs.
S. K. Spauldlng, Mrs. M. M. Van Horn, Mrs. A. L.
Blair, Mrs. J. N Tillson, Mrs. Olive FoRter.
South Omaha Mrs J. M. White as editor, and
Mrs. Ross and Mrs. Blair In charge of circulation.
Success of the Venture.
A twenty-eight page paper, with a circulation of
48,000 copies, requiring ten and one-half tons of pa
per, was the result of our labors. As far aa we know,
one of tbe largest editions edited by women, and the
only one editing both a morning and evening edition,
As proof of success financially the net profits were
12,221.31. Both editions went to press on time, and
every mall was caught on time. All this goes to Show
what can be successfully accomplished by alert, deter
mined women, even though they be Inexperienced In
the work they undertake. . ,
Rumors had reached us from other cities of the
first copy of the woman's paper being sold for largo
amounts. What should we do with ours? Thla waa
discussed with many suggestions. The public library,
being so near the hearts of all of us, it was decided
i to donate our first copyto it, which was done. Apropos.
It waa never thereafter heard from, never having re
ceived honorable mention, nor, as far as we know,
has It seen the light of the sunshine of the library.
The Sunday Bee of May 5, 1895, gave a lucid ac
count of the work of the day of publication, which we
will not review. Immediately on the afternoon edition
going to press, the women of the editorial force turned
the paper over to the men who are regularly employed,
realizing that their success was very greatly due to
the perfect system and complete facilities of The Bee.
They were accorded the most courteous treatment and
shown unlimited kindness by every attache 'with
whom they came in contact, which tended greatly to
lighten their task and add to its pleasures and effi
ciency. The circulation of the evening edition brought our
forces out enmasse, and any one who caught a glimpse
of the rotunda of The Bee building while we were
waiting for our papers will never forget the sight, nor
will we that final battle.
We volunteered as recruits, decidedly raw, we dis
banded veterans, though none of us were disabled or
mortally wounded, neither did we feel we had "fought
our last fight." The brilliant deeds done individually,
, and oftentimes single-handed, will never become his
tory. That we never retreated, nor were ever da
feated, and but once fell into tbe hands of the enemj
. is our record. ANNA FITCH SKINNER,
. Omaha, June, 1896. '
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