The Press: New Frame

The picture, taken by Associated Press Photographer Paul Vathis and appearing recently in the Philadelphia Inquirer, showed Pennsylvania's Democratic Governor David Lawrence, 69, during a press conference, head down, sparse hair above an expanse of wearily wrinkled forehead, hands clasped as though to prop up sagging jowls. Old Pol Lawrence thought the picture made him look like an old pol (see cut). Cried he next day to Photographer Vathis: "The worst picture I have ever had taken of me, and I've seen some beauts."

Last week Dave Lawrence saw the picture in a new frame: the generally Republican Inquirer used it again, this time to illustrate an editorial of full-blown praise for Lawrence. "Head bowed in thought," said the Inquirer, "hands lifted in almost prayerful meditation or reaching out to emphasize some point, eyes half closed as he ponders a question, the Governor is revealed as a man under great stress—and as a man who is determinedly thinking his way through." Thus made to appear as a statesman instead of a pol, Pennsylvania's Lawrence sought out Photographer Vathis. "Accept my humblest apologies, Paul." he said. "I was wrong. It was a good picture, after all."