MR. ROOSEVELT’S FUTURE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2402, 18 January 1909, Page 6

MR. ROOSEVELT’S FUTURE

•• * a CONSULTIN G EN GINEER. ’ ’ The appointment of President Roosevelt to act as special contributor to .an American 10-oent magazine, the “Outlook” as a salary of £6OOO pel annum, is (says the New York correspondent- of the Daily telegraph ) formally announced. I learn that All. Roosevelt becomes connected with that publication after March 5, not as .“associate editor,” as was at first reported, but as “special contributing editor.” Alany newspapers clamored for President Roosevelt’s services, some with much larger circulation than the “Outlook,” which is almost unknown outside America, and one offered £IO,OOO as the yearly remuneration. The managers, however, wanted to impose uncongenial restrictions, and the President finally chose the “Outlook” appointment, because of the serious character of that magazine, and also because a security of tenure was provided, which is rare to find in journalistic offices on this side of the Atlantic. Air. Roosevelt naturally felt it incompatible with liis dignity to accept any post on, a newspaper where ho might be fired —the American equivalent for discharged—at a month’s notice. The “Outlook” fulfilled the President’s' requirements, and the appointment will not prevent his taking such extra work as is involved by writing descriptions of hunting and natural history research in Africa, which lie contemplates. Alany Americans regret that tlie constitution does not provide a pension for ex-Presidents, and this complaint is made here to-day, more particularly because the £IO,OOO >a' year which goes with the occupancy of the ■White House only just covers expenses. Mr* Roosevelt could get- £20,000 a year as vice-president of several trusts that I could name., but the President’s talents and. inclinations do not tbnd in that direction.

The “Outlook” says:—“We con-

gr'atulate ourselves and our readers that Air. Roosevelt’s leadership, exercised for the last'seven years in his Presidential messages, will be exercised in the future through the columns of the “Outlook,” which will be the exclusive channel for the expression of his political, industrial, and social topics. Mr. Roosevelt will bo more than a contributor. His headquarters will be at -the “Outlook’s” office, and lie will be in frequent, and we hope, constant consultation with its staff. His will thus bo somewhat analogous to that of a consulting engineer called in to give the benefit of his expert co-operation to the staff engineers in charge of a great undertaking. Air Roosevelt’s contributions,, though editorial in their nature, will be signed by his name, and will be absolutely free and unmodified expressions of his personal convictions.”

An Antarctic iceberg has been seen that was 20 miles wide, 40 miles in length, and 400 ft in height.