Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 127, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 May 1919 — MEANS END OF ALL THINGS [ARTICLE]

MEANS END OF ALL THINGS

Number “30,” Originally Newspaper Symbol, Has Come to Have Significance of Dire Import.

By frequent reference to it, noted by newspaper readers, doubtless the meaning of that cabalistic symbol “30” has become familiar to many, but this Incident and explanation is printed in Connection with the obsequies of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, in the Montreal La Patrie. “What does that signify?" was asked by thousands who filed past the casket of Sir Wilfrid Laurier and hUd remarked the bouquet of flowers upon which lay the symbol “30” in red figures. This tioral tribute was given by members of the press gallery in the Dominion parliament. For them this number means the same as the words whioh the great departed pronounced some days after being stricken by his malady: “It is ended.” (C’est fini.) The origin of this conventional symbol has been lost in the traditions of journalism, but after each night and at the end of every day the conventional “30” traversed the continent from end to end. Editors in time adopted the Bign “30” to inform the staff, the various news departments and the composing room that all the “copy was finished and that there would be nothing additional. Finally, for newspaper men, the number “30” became the symbol of the end of all things of earth, and even of life.