New Paragrapher

Irvin Shrewsbury Cobb, famed short story writer, has set himself up in the paragraphing business. Mornings now readers of the New York Herald Tribune and other journals scattered throughout the land read brief syndicated comments by Mr. Cobb.

Some readers were puzzled, remembering an old series by this same Mr. Cobb which was syndicated in newspapers in 1921 under the title "My Favorite Stories." This series was too easy; and not funny enough. Readers who hear funny stories, read funny papers, go to vaudeville shows, had heard most of the stories. Some few readers were particularly dismayed. "Are we," they asked, "to have more of the odd taste displayed by Mr. Cobb at a dinner to Calvin Coolidge last spring in Manhattan given by the United Press Association? With the President and Mrs. Coolidge present, Mr. Cobb concluded festivities with a story of a child afflicted with internal rising and active nausea!"

The New Yorker, humorous Manhattan weekly, suggests a contest between Mr. Cobb and Will Rogers who does a daily paragraph for the New York Times and other newspapers. With a properly accredited referee, a point score should be kept. Others deemed this unnecessary; Mr. Rogers was "too good," said they. They pointed out examples of the recent Cobb humor:

"If World's Series should turn out to be as smelly as one or two of its predecessors, even Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis may begin to doubt whether, after all, the game is worth the scandal."

cobb followers jeered, crying out that Mr. Rogers had been dull lately, selected an example of "Rogers at his worst": "Jim Reed says prohibition will not be the issue with the Democrats, and, as usual, Jim is right.

"How are you going to make an issue of it? The Drys want it in the Constitution and it's in there.

"The wets want a drink and they got it."

Critics retaliated, picking cobb's worst, such as: "I've just learned that that distinguished bookworm, Mr. Gene Tunney, reads my stuff, so now I am moved more strongly than ever to predict that, in the event of a third meeting between him and Mr. Dempsey, the result will be another triumph for clean literature."

Said they, reminiscing: "Remember Ring Lardner's characterization of mr. Cobb? 'He loves to spend a quiet evening at home with his books--of which he has a complete set.'"

Will Rogers attracted attention by offering in his daily squib to bet his fellow paragrapher, Arthur Brisbane, $5,000 unconditionally, that Calvin Coolidge would run for President next year, not because Mr. Coolidge wants to but "because he has to." For this some called Will Rogers courageous in his convictions. Others cried: "Publicity hunter! Headline hound! Rooster-booster!"