Daily Telegraph: Editorial Departments

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Arthur H. Beavan continued his survey of London journalism at the turn of the twentieth century in Imperial London, published in 1901, with this look at the Daily Telegraph's internal deparments:

Except to journalists and printers, the arcana of editorial and publishing departments are little known, and it is, perhaps, the policy of proprietors that this sense of obscurity should not be too rudely dispelled. In Great Britain the anonymity of writers has, on the whole, worked well, enabling opinions to be fearlessly expressed, that in Russia or Germany would land their authors in Siberia or a prison-cell.

Even the most experienced pressmen are not always able to describe with exactitude the functions pertaining to the different departments of a "Daily."

Below, at the fish and sandwich bar, one may sometimes see a rather short, swarthy-complexioned man in frock-coat and tall hat quietly consuming a sandwich and tankard of "bitter" or stout.

This unassuming person is Sir Edwin Arnold, the leading brain of the Daily Telegraph staff; facile, graceful, and harmonious poet, upon whose shoulders many thought would have been bestowed the official mantle of the late Laureate of England; most charming writer on all kinds of subjects, and for "leading articles" facile princeps.

How many leading articles has he not written since!

Probably some 285 per annum!

He is a marvellous linguist, too, knowing well no less than ten languages, living and dead.

Since 1861 he has been on the editorial staff, and may claim, without affectation, to be the original mainstay of the Daily Telegraph.

Passing the pleasant commissionaire standing at the gates, we go down a passage at the side of the Daily Telegraph advertising office, reserved for the staff, and turning in at a door on the right, find ourselves at the rear of the Pillar-room, and facing a broad staircase.

This we ascend to the editorial office, connected by a bridge and pneumatic tubes with the composing-room, etc.

It is not large, but is lofty and well-lighted; plainly furnished - a writing-table, a small case of books, a few chairs, an engraving or two on the walls, voila tout!

One immense advantage it shares in common with the other editorial apartments - that of perfect quietude.

Looking upon an enclosed well-court, not even a faint echo of the roar of London penetrates through the stout walls and thick plate-glass.

The brain can work in peace.

Very different was it in the old buildings of the Daily Telegraph, where accommodation for writers was scanty, and where articles had to be struck off in full hearing of the hurly-burly and uproar of Fleet Street.

Here he is inaccessible to "outsiders."

Once, however, a gentleman desirous of seeing him late in the evening on urgent private business was admitted into his sanctum.

Sir Edwin glanced at the letter of introduction from a much-esteemed colleague of his, and turning to his visitor, said with the utmost courtesy, "You see what I am engaged upon. I can give you just ten minutes, but unless your introduction had been from my dear old friend M-, I could not have seen you; nor would I admit any one, not even my own mother-in-law!"

Next: Journalism in 1900 London: The Leading Article