A conference of subscribers and contributors to the correspondence
columns of _The Times_ was held at Caxton Hall on Saturday last, to
discuss the situation created in the issue of December 21st by the
printing of the interview with President WILSON in larger type than
had ever been used previously in the body of the paper. Amongst those
present were "Scrutator," "Bis Dat Qui Cito Dat," "Judex," "Vindex,"
"Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat," "Rusticus Expectans," "Old Etonian," "Anxious
Parent," "Anti-Jacobin," "Puzzled," "Octogenarian," "Quousque Tandem,"
and "The Thin End of the Wedge."
The Chair was taken by a "Subscriber of Fifty Years' Standing," who
prefaced his remarks by observing that neither he nor any of those
present was animated by the faintest antagonism to President WILSON.
Their gratitude to him for his services in the War was so great that,
in the abstract, they could have no objection to his being accorded the
distinction of the largest possible type, so long as proper distinction
was made typographically between the remarks of the PRESIDENT and the
comments of the interviewer--as for example that Mr. WILSON's bedroom
is "strictly First Empire," or that "there seems to be some kind of
competition between the upper and the lower halves of his features,"
or that his "grey lounge suit" was "well cut into his body." But there
ought to be some harmony between the size of the type and the importance
of the views expressed. He had himself contributed many letters to _The
Times_ on subjects of the greatest urgency, but had never attained
the dignity even of long primer. (Sensation.) He thought that in the
circumstances they were entitled to address a modest protest to the
Editor, to the effect that the use of "pica" should be reserved for the
rarest occasions and not be allowed to prejudice the claims of those who
were entitled to exercise the indefeasible privilege of "writing to _The
Times_." (Cheers.)
"Scrutator," who followed, disclaimed any personal grievance. His
letters had always appeared in large type and on the best pages. But
he drew the line at "pica"; it looked too like an advertisement and
destroyed the balance of the page. In old days an editor controlled the
"make-up" of his paper. Now he was at the mercy of his "maker-up."
"Judex," speaking from the body of the hall, said that he had heard
the interview in question spoken of as a "splendid scoop." He was not
certain what the phrase meant, but he did not like the sound of it, and
dreaded the prospect of President WILSON being made the subject of a
typographical competition between our daily papers. While the paper
shortage lasted this might lead to very serious results in the way of
restricting the space available for the ventilation of the views of
those present.
An "Anxious Parent" pointed out that the use of "pica" was unfortunate,
as it irresistibly suggested "picador," one who participated in a cruel
sport, whereas President WILSON was a most humane and compassionate man
and had never assisted at a bull-fight.
After several other speeches it was ultimately resolved to form an
association, to be known as the "Anti-Picador League," and a small
committee was appointed to draw up an appeal to the principal Editors to
abstain as far as possible from typographical Jumbomania.
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