Howard R. Garis

“ Larry said. “But I'm afraid there's little hope.”
“Not much, I guess,” agreed Mr. Reynolds. “Now is there anything more you'd like to know about this terrible explosion?”
“I guess I have everything I need,” answered the young reporter. “I'm much obliged to you.”
“Not at all,” responded Mr. Reynolds. “I find it pays better to be perfectly frank with the newspapers. They'll find things out, anyhow, and you might as well tell them first, and get it in right.”
Larry went back to the office, where he wrote up his interview with Mr. Reynolds, in readiness for the next day's paper. ”

“ Reynolds, in gruff tones, quite different, Larry thought, from the manner he had used in thanking him for the recovery of the jewels.
The young reporter asked the questions Mr. Newton had suggested, and was given answers that explained how the explosion occurred. Mr. Reynolds claimed that it was no fault of the gas concern, and stated that the families of the victims would be provided for.
“It was a terrible occurrence,” said Mr. Reynolds, “and we regret it as much as anyone. We try to take every safeguard for our employees, but accidents will happen, sometimes, in spite of all our care.” ”

“ The machinery was adjusted, and the press started, the papers being printed at the rate of many thousands an hour. Thus the last edition came out, about two hours after the accident, with a picture of the scene, and the exploded tank. It was up-to-date newspaper work.
“Well, I guess we've done about all we can to-day,” remarked Mr. Newton, addressing his helpers. “We've covered everything I can think of. I guess we beat some of the other papers. Haven't seen any of them around here yet.”
“It certainly was a bad accident,” remarked Larry, who had never before seen such a terrible one. ”