Swing (Feb-Dec 1951)

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THE MAN OF THE MONTH 369 the drama. Mr. Nelson's collection of reproductions of great masterpieces taught us what to look for in great pictures. It was like old home week to find the originals of those paintings on the walls of the great galleries in Florence, in Paris, and in London. We made no mistake in choosing the best plays, the best operas, the best concerts. I sometimes regret that I do not belong to K. U.'s class of 1902, my chronological niche, instead of marching in the procession with my juniors of 1913. But had I left Kan' sas City in the fall of 1898, I might have found myself teaching miles away, and so have missed those years of following the gentle direction of the Star: See this; hear this; like that. When T. W. Johnston retired, in 1910, Mr. Haskell was moved up tc director of the editorial page, a position he has held ever since. Perhaps he no longer directs; but he told me himself not long ago that — no, I will quote him exactly. He said, "I am still editor." He became editor in 1928, when, after the death of Mr. Nelson and of other members of his family, the Star's ownership and management was reorganized. I never had the courage to ap' proach Mr. Johnston again, after his amused refusal of my proffered serv ices; but I did manage to earn a small place in the Star's affections by writ' ing Starbeams. As I had also acquired a degree or two and a teaching job of sorts, I had material at hand for quips. Politics and affairs at Wash' ington I could safely leave to Mr. Haskell, who has always done right well with those difficult subjects. But the equally difficult subjects of college Hfe were an open book; and for a score of years, I peppered the Starbeams column with my H. R. H., earning the goodwill of Ye Ed, the inestimable privilege of retaining my initials during a visit of the then Prince of Wales; and the approval of Mr. Haskell: a royal accolade. Mr. Haskell writes me that he still remem' bers with pleasure the riotous party Pip (Ye Ed) had for the contribs to Starbeams. It was a grand party; the seating arrangements were particularly effec tive. Through the column, I had given them my personal supervision. All was as I had ordered— myself at the head and Ye Ed at the foot of the table, with other lesser lights, such as Mr. Haskell, seated below the salt. As we took our places, it gradually dawned on me that a Starbeams con' trib, even one with royal initials, could be too funny. But to this day, Mr. Haskell kindly remembers it with pleasure. Bless the man.