EDITOR GIVES YOU HIS SOURCES!

Radio Record, 3 June 1938, Page 30

EDITOR GIVES YOU HIS SOURCES!

HEN Leonard Crocombe, editor of the English magazine, ‘Titbits," was cooling his mouth with beer one day in a convenient tavern. there cume to him hotfoot his distinguished friend, George S. llarrap, whose father controls the well: known English printing firm of Harrap and ('o., Ltd. George had had a hrainwave. He wanted Mr. Crocombe to write a book of 70,000 words on his fortheoming holiday to Canada-and he guaranteed to publish it. The result is "An Editor Goes West." Because Mr. Crocombe is such an important figure in British journalistic circles, his holiday notebook must naturally be reviewed at some length here, whether he likes it or not. For everyone knows that nowadays the Name is much more impor tant than the Work, "An Editor Goes West" covers a wide field, beginning in London = and crossing in 40 days to Canada = and the United States and back. In this time and over this distance, Mr. Croeombe naturally finds plenty to amuse him, and points out he would = have lost his skill as a journalist if he failed to transmit his enthusiasms. Soe we have his 70,000-word holiday notebook cunningly filled with :- (1) Copy of the Canadiau declara ‘tion form he had to sign. (2) Full description of the Empress of Britain (which will not he so interesting to New Zealanders since thes read it all recently in the shipping company write-ups in the newspapers) (3) Copies of the menu eards in ali classes on the Empress of Britain. (4) Description of Mr. Crocompe's moonlight adventure with the girl who thought him "the most interesting man on the ship." (The original of a note this girl wrote to him. apologising for missing an appointment, is on file in Mr. Crocombe's office.) (5) Several complaints of the bead cold that resulted from the moonlight stroll. (6) One or two interviews with famous personages (culled in at least one case from a pre-written obituary). (7) Also facts and figures about the Canadian Broadeasting Corporation and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, (S$) Copy of Mr, Crocombe’s talk over the air, with the introdneing and closing remarks of the announeer, (9) Copies of all the letters writteu by obscure Canadians to Mr. Crocombe after this broadcast. (10) Copies of interviews with My. Crocombe which were printed in one or two American papers (11) Copies of more menu cards from a train on the Canadian National Railway. (12) Mr. Crocombe’s jokes. numbering about five. The best are the ex-

cerpts from James Thurber and. Dorothy Parker. , There is also included in the notehook a few superficial impressions of Canada and New York through Mr. Crocombe’s eyes; ‘but one feels he could have made up the’ 70,000 words quite easily without them, and their inclusion is Sheer generosity. For members of Mr, Crocombe’s immediate family, "An Editor Goes West" will no doubt be treasured as an authenticated and beautifully printed record of the only time since Mr.- Crocombe has been a family man’ that he "had ever gone away from- home for longer than a week or so." Other readers May not find the notebook so absorb. ing. "An Hditor Goes West." by Leonard Croecombe (iiarrap and (o., Ltd.) — Our copy from the publishers,