It is."

"Sentimentalism!" snapped the other. His heavy visage wore a disturbed
and peevish expression that rendered it quite plaintive. "You have been
with us long enough, Mr. Banneker, to know that we do not cater to the
uplift-social trade, nor are we after the labor vote."

"Yes, sir. I understand that."

"Yet you present here, what is, in effect, a damning indictment of the
Sippiac Mills."

"The facts do that; not I."

"But you have selected your facts, cleverly--oh, very cleverly--to
produce that effect, while ignoring facts on the other side."

"Such as?"

"Such as the presence and influence of agitators. The evening editions
have the names, and some of the speeches."

"That is merely clouding the main issue. Conditions are such there that
no outside agitation is necessary to make trouble."

"But the agitators are there. They're an element and you have ignored
it. Mr. Banneker, do you consider that you are dealing fairly with this
paper, in attempting to commit it to an inflammatory, pro-strike
course?"

"Certainly, if the facts constitute that kind of an argument."

"What of that picture of Horace Vanney? Is that news?"

"Why not? It goes to the root of the whole trouble."

"To print that kind of stuff," said Mr. Gordon forcibly, "would make The
Ledger a betrayer of its own cause. What you personally believe is not
the point."

"I believe in facts."

"It is what The Ledger believes that is important here. You must
appreciate that, as long as you remain on the staff, your only honorable
course is to conform to the standards of the paper. When you write an
article, it appears to our public, not as what Mr. Banneker says, but as
what The Ledger says."

"In other words," said Banneker thoughtfully, "where the facts conflict
with The Ledger's theories, I'm expected to adjust the facts. Is that
it?"

"Certainly not! You are expected to present the news fairly and without
editorial emphasis."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Gordon, but I don't believe I could rewrite that story
so as to give a favorable slant to the International's side. Shooting
down women and kids, you know--"

Mr. Gordon's voice was crisp as he cut in. "There is no question of your
rewriting it. That has been turned over to a man we can trust."

"To handle facts tactfully," put in Banneker in his mildest voice.

Considerably to his surprise, he saw a smile spread over Mr. Gordon's
face. "You're an obstinate young animal, Banneker," he s