MR. ARTHUR PEARSON'S APPLICTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 7569, 23 May 1914, Page 6

MR. ARTHUR PEARSON'S APPLICTION.

“Though not yet quite sightless, 1 eau no Jonger read at all except with my liugei-tipis, and am dependent upon guidance except in quite familiar surroundings.” Tnat is an extract ironi a recent letter which boars the signature “(J. Arthur Pearson,” and it reveals the pathetic climax of one of tho most remarkable careers of our time. 1* or years Alfred (J. Harmsworth and C. Arthur Pearson, who arc to-day aged fortyeight and forty-seven respectively,_ran a nock-uud-neck race, and at one time it looked as if the latter would outdistance tho former. The son of a clergyman, Mr. Pearson won a prize offered by “Tit-; Pits,” became a manager of the firm of George Ncwncs, and four years later started business for himself. “ Pearson’s Weekly,” “Pearson’s Magazine,” “Homo Notes” and other weekly papers appeared one after the other. And then, Hushed with success, spurred on by his rival, ho took tho plunge into the treacherous sea of dailv journalism and launched tlie “Daily Express.” That always seemed to me to bo a fatal mistake. Whether so in reality or not, the “Express” inevitably appeared to be an imitation of the “Daily Mail.” Once the “Express” made an offer to an important member of the “Mail” staff. “ 1 will come to you when you do one thing,” he replied. “What is that?” “Get a day before instead of a day after, the ‘Mail.’ ” Just about tho time when he was preparing to start the “Express" I spent an hour or so with Mr. Pearson. He thou told mo that eye trouble had compelled him to withdraw for a time from work, but ho was now better. Ho was keen, strong, ardent, confident —but shortsighted (I did not mean that to be a “double entendre”) . Ho still had to put printed matter dose to his face, and i could not help feeling, what, a pity, how unnecessary, that a man fond of sports and outdoor life generally should pass days and nights in the heated atmosphere of a daily newspaper office 1 LORD NORTHCLIFFE’S CONGRATULATIONS. Well, the launching of the "Express” was followed hy the acquisition of the “Standard.” Then we heard that “Arthur” had acquired--or was on tho point of acquiring—tho controlling interest m the “Times.” In the "Daily Mail,” over tho signature of “N.,” appeared an article under some such heading as “The Man Who Has Captured ‘The Thunderer,’ ” and “Alfred,” now Lord Northcliffe. sketched his slightly younger rival’s brilliant career, acknowledged his genius, and congratulated him on his crowning achievement. When, in my guilclessness, I remarked to one ot Northcliffe’s intimates that it was very magnanimous of him to write and publish such an article, he gave me a comical look and said ; “He knew it wouldn’t, come off!” Whether that be so or not I ■ cannot say, but everybody knows thai tho hand that controls the “Times” today is that of Lord NorChcliffe. ' He has never himself advertised tho fact; indeed, ho lias become so predominant in tho newspaper world that he conceals rather than flaunts his enormous power. In his biography in “_Who’s Who” not one of his newspapers is mentioned —not even the “Mail.” GIFT OF £1.00f). Meantime both the and the “Standard” and allied provincial journals have passed out of Mr. Pearson’s hands, and lie now devotes himself to tho firm which bears his name. He is a genuine humanitarian; thousands oi children owe a seaside holiday to his initiative, and lie has just given £I,OOO to the British and Foreign Blind Association. By the way, a consensus of opinion amongst'the intelligent blind has just been taken, “and,” says Lord Portman, “wo are rather startled to find tho almost unanimity with which they agree on one point. Their deprivation does not distress them in the least. They scarcely spare a thought to the circumstance. What they dread is possible penury and helplessness.” They certainly ought to be relieved of that anxiety.