Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 February 1908 — A NEWSPAPER CONSOLIDATION [ARTICLE]

A NEWSPAPER CONSOLIDATION

The Rensselaer Republican and the Rensselaer Journal have arranged to consolidate and the consummation of the plan is set for March Ist, altho it practically dates from the present time. The effect of the consolidation is the absorption of the Journal by the Republican, and the Journal will suspend with its issuo.gf this week, Thursday, February oth. There will, be no change in the name of the Republican, either Daily or Semi-Weekly, and, except for some plans its publishers have in extending its news-dispensing features and advertising advantages there will be no immediate change iir the paper except that caused in its typographical appearance by the employment of the joint equip-* ment* George H. Healey, editor and publisher of the Republican since the retirement of Geo. E. Marshall, will have associated with him • Leslie Clark, for more than ten years editor and publisher of the Journal. In the division of the work connected with the newspaper, publishing and job printing business, Mr. Healey will continue as editor and active business manager, and Mr. Clark will be in direct charge of the mechanical depart ment and will assist in both the editorial and business conduct of the paper.

The interest of Dr, I. M. ’Washbum in the ’business remains the same as it has heretofore, and while he is an actual partner in th; ownership he is 1 in no manner connected with the editorial of business policy of the paper, and his name wijl not appear as one of its publishers and he does not care to be recognized as one of such. To satisfy any curiosity that might arise as-to the cause of the consolidation of the two papers, we are going to take the- public into our full confidence and state that it was done Entirely for business reasons. The Republican has been a good paying institution and the very excellent patronage accorded the new ownership exceeded the most roseate expectations of its owners The business was ahead of the equipment, and to continue on the basis of its operation for the past four months and to. plan for what seemed a certain increase for the future, a considerable outlay in the way of better and more modern equipment would be necessary. Steps to provide this equipment were being taken when, on last Friday, word was received from Mr. Clark, the Journal publisher, that ue should like to talk over the possibility of a consolidation. A plan was promulgated and the consolidation agreed upon. The Journal office was provided with a linotype type setting machine, with a better newspaper press and additional job presses, all of which equipment the Republican must soon have provided for itself if it kept pace with its increasing busi ness. A survey of the field „ and its. business possibilities from a revenue-producing standpoint decided those connected with the two plants that a consolidation was desirable and the same was equitably and speedily^idjusted. It is hoped-ana confidently ex'pected that a large business can be established by : the combined papers. .{With two .active young -meiv at its head it Seems that there should be- plenty of opportunity and we shaft ajm to keep' our office •jh to handle . all classes *.ol statement ..<4 thte busyiess and the adjusting of accounts wiH be iftade in! a Jater:issue, f * .< : .it I ...A . _