Manuscripts

Editorial Objectives

Description: Approx. 40 items. Memos and other material related to changes, goals performance plans and objectives for Editorial. Guiding this process were Otis Chandler, Nick Williams, Frank Haven, Frank McCulloch, and others. Also included is the 1/15/1961 article written by Nick Williams on the new Times format.
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Date: 1958 - 1969
Call number: mssLAT
Creator: Los Angeles Times (Firm)(Opens in new tab)
Provenance: The Los Angeles Times,
Restrictions: Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.
Rights: The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining permission rests with the researcher.

Departments - Editorial - "Editorial Excellence"

Manuscripts

1 item: approx. 130-pp. transcript (from Tapes I, II and III), "Los Angeles Times Executive Conference - Editorial Excellence (5/17/1969)." The Conference seminar was conducted at Times Mirror Square. The transcript was labeled "Confidential." A list appears on the first page with names of the top ranking editors--Nick B. Williams, Frank Haven, James Bassett, James Bellows, William F. Thomas, etc.--and executives--Otis Chandler, Robert Flannes, Robert D. Nelson, etc.-- who participated.

mssLAT

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Chandler, Otis - Tape # 2

Manuscripts

1 item: 19-pp. transcript of "Second taping with Otis Chandler," by Bassett, 7/30/1975. Subjects include: the "Jack Hart thesis" that the years when NC was publisher was an "Era of Mediocrity at Los Angeles Times was challenged by Otis Chandler (pp. 1 - 2) ; Editor Nick Williams and his Managing Editors, Frank Haven and Frank McCulloch (pp. 3 - 5) ; political "kingmaker" Kyle Palmer (pp. 6) ; Otis Chandler - in 1960s "I wanted to move The Times into a position of political independence..." (pp. 6) ; ending Los Angeles Times endorsements for President, Governor and U.S. Senate (pp. 7) ; Otis Chandler comments on those who, after the relative liberalization of Los Angeles Times editorial policies, wished for "The Times of old" (pp. 9 - 10) ; comments on the John Birch Society series and the editorial, signed by Otis, that accompanied it (pp. 10 - 11) ; the Geotek affair (pp. 17+).

mssLAT

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Departments - Editorial - Personnel

Manuscripts

Materials include: 6-pp., in list form, headed "Staff - 1944," giving section names, personnel names and area of responsibility/job name; memo, 3/30/1959, from Nick Williams, being a general announcement of Taylor Trumbo's promotion to Managing Editor, and Chester Hale's promotion to City Editor; typed note--unsigned and unadressed--gives "ethnic breakdown of the editorial staffers," 5/12/1977. Management Bulletins, News Releases dated between 1983 and 1990; two copies of a 1995 LAT clip headlined "Clayton, Del Olmo, Plate get new Times assignments." (Janet Clayton, Frank Del Olmo, Thomas Plate); cover letter from "No Greater Love," an organization "providing...care for children of Americans who have given their lives in service to our country or in the pursuit of peace." The bulletins are announcements of promotions, appointments and organizational changes.

mssLAT

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LA Times Executive Conference

Manuscripts

1 item: transcript, approx. 130-pp (headed "Tape I," "Tape II," "Tape III"), of "Los Angeles Times Executive Conference - 'Editorial Excellence' (5/17/1969), CONFIDENTIAL. This copy was issued to Vance Stickell. Those whose comments are seen on the transcript: Otis Chandler ; Nick Williams ; Frank Haven ; Robert Lobdell ; William Thomas ; Ed Guthman ; Robert Flannes.

mssLAT

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Financial Section (Editorial)

Manuscripts

Approx. 15 items. Subjects include: letter to Otis Chandler from California Savings and Loan League exec. VP.; investors' forum; content of Financial pages (memo to Bob Nichols from Williams); reorganization of Financial; okay from Williams to Frank McCulloch to pick up a financial wire service from AP;

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Editorial Staff - Recruiting and Keeping

Manuscripts

6 items. File contains 17 pp. report titled "Tomorrow's Editors: A report on the status of journalism education..." 2 pp. memo headed "Personnel" from Frank McCulloch to Williams (with margin notes) on topic of attracting and keeping talented staffers. A considerable amount of discussion concerning the role of editorial work and the value of staffers educates as journalists. Also a few other memos, including one headed "Ideas on Editorial Recruitment." Undated memo to Otis Chandler notes "Newspapers are now attracting by far the best all-around talent they ever attracted. This used to be a business for showoffs, crackpots and drunks, with an occasional brilliant reporter. It isn't that way now.

mssLAT

Editorial Objectives

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Departments - Editorial - "Editorial Excellence"

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