Emporia Tabloid

Anathema to eloquent, high-minded Editor-Publisher William Allen White of the Emporia (Kans.) Gazette, is the U. S. newspaper comic strip. He vowed that only "over my dead body" would his newspaper ever print a funnypaper.

But other publishers have been finding out that funnypapers are potent moneymakers (TIME, Feb. 18). And at the age of 67, the Sage of Emporia has long since learned to compromise. In excellent health last fortnight, Editor White issued the week-end edition of his newspaper with not one but 29 comics in a gaudy 16-page tabloid. Moreover, the entire news section was printed in tabloid to conform. It had taken a brash young salesman for United Feature Syndicate six months to change the White mind but now, reminded of his oldtime vow, Editor White was ready to say: "That was back when I believed in fairies. We might as well gather rosebuds while we may."

Chuckled the conservative Kansas City Star: "It's all right, Brother White. We understand. We've all been through it and you, in your rugged individualism, stood out longer than most."

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