Mirror in Milan

"Milan has two pillars," runs a respectful Italian adage. "One is La Scala. The other is Carriere della Sera" By catering as faithfully as its operatic opposite number to middleclass, culture-conscious Milanese, Corriere has long reigned as Italy's biggest daily (circ. 505,000) and one of the most enterprising newspapers published anywhere. Known in Milan simply as The Newspaper, staid Corriere della Sera got its start and its name as an evening paper, now comes out in two editions every morning. It runs no comic strips, gossip columns or guessing games, clings solidly to the aim outlined in its first issue 82 years ago: "We intend to be the faithful mirror of the world."

Last week Corriere beat the Italian press with a Page One report by New York Correspondent Ugo Stille that NATO Commander General Lauris Norstad had chosen Italy as a site for medium-range missile bases. Through the eyes of its own 25 foreign correspondents, the mirror in Milan also reflected such stories as tension in North Africa and the Middle East, and, from Germany, Iranian Queen Soraya's reluctant progress toward a divorce (see FOREIGN NEWS). The paper bolsters its overseas coverage with 650 string correspondents and a platoon of 16 world-roving reporters known as "special envoys."

Erudition v. Exclusives. Trained to prize erudition over exclusives, significance over sensation, Corriere' s 140-man news staff turns out some of journalism's most cultivated copy. Sample Page One lead: "The Soviet leaders, like the Bourbons, have learned nothing and forgotten nothing." Yet, though its style seems leisurely by U.S. standards, Corriere leaps on a big story as swiftly and effectively as any newspaper in the world.

Milan's Corriere has always been profitable (1956 net: "more than $1,000,000"), made money even after the government drove out thunderously anti-Fascist Editor Luigi Albertini in 1925 and enlisted the paper in Mussolini's journalistic claque. The present owners of the conservative Corriere are three aging, textile-millionaire Crespi brothers (Mario, 78, Aldo, 73, Vittorio, 62). The Crespis, who took control of the paper when Albertini left, say that their only interest in Corriere is "to maintain its high traditions." Among the traditions: good pay, short hours, and a respectful attitude toward newsmen* that is unique on Italy's mass-circulation dailies. Says one editor: "We trust our men completely. The byline is sacred."

Insight v. Inside Dope. One of the few complaints of Corriere staffers is that in holding to 19th century standards, the paper often seems as fusty as an antimacassar. Yet, though it bans such words as prostitute (stock euphemism: "woman of easy customs") and abortion ("interrupted maternity"), Corriere della Sera runs stories dealing with both subjects. Far from outdated is its standard of rounded, responsible reporting of world affairs, notably its evenhanded coverage of the U.S. by Correspondent Stille, 38, a Russian-born Italian who has lived in the U.S. 16 years. Though in influence outside its country it is no Times, either London or New York, The Newspaper remains one of the world's few dailies where staffers get--and heed--the stern admonition, in the words of Editor in Chief Mario Missiroli, to give "insight--not inside dope."

*And toward their expense-account fantasies.

One top newsman on a distant assignment regularly charged Corriere for his dalliances, explained on each expense account: "Man is not made of stone." The paper sympathetically paid up until the correspondent charged up ten nights in a row, sent him a cable with the debate ending retort: "But man is not made of steel either."

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