Newspapers: End of One-Man Rule

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Always an open-minded, liberal Republican paper, the Star boosted Alf Landon into national political prominence and gave him a try at the Presidency. Last year the Star supported a Democratic candidate for President for the first time since Grover Cleveland—not so much because it liked L.B.J. as because it disliked Goldwater even more. Since then, the Star has supported much of the Johnson program, from the war in Viet Nam to the poverty bills to civil rights legislation. As for the farm bill, the Star found something to cheer about in the fact that while it was not very good, it was written to take care of the next four years— promise of a welcome breather from an annual congressional hassle. More vehemently, the paper 3 deplores the splintering of the Republican Party by right-wing extremists. At home in Missouri, while it did not support Governor Warren Hearnes in his campaign, it has applauded his accomplishments and his growth as a leader.

Cosmic Unconcern. Famed for promoting only from within, the once inbred Star is now casting about for outside talent. It hired Music Critic John Haskins, who wrote for the Washington Evening Star, to bolster its new, well-received arts and entertainment section. "Until recently," says a staffer, "they just wouldn't have done that. They'd have simply grabbed some gal on the staff, on the theory that girls probably know about music, and moved her in there." The remark was a bit of city room hyperbole; in fairness to the Star, the last music critic was a man.

The Star is even having second thoughts about all those reporters leaving for other jobs. "Their attitude used to be one of cosmic unconcern," says a reporter who stayed on. "The idea was that if you'd even consider leaving the Star, they didn't want you anyway." Now the Star has raised salaries and approved a pension plan that calls for mandatory retirement at 65, thus giving younger men a chance to get ahead. "We've finally got to the point," says one encouraged youngster, "where you don't have to wait until some guy dies for places to be opening up." After all, if Roy Roberts can retire peacefully, anyone can.