Acquires a Springfield Paper
A few years later, Cox found another paper for sale in Springfield, Ohio, and purchased it. This paper was then known as the Springfield Press Republic, but the same has since been changed to the News. This was in 1903. Overnight the News changed its name and its politics. The circulation of this paper is now about 18,000 daily and Sunday. The circulation of the Dayton News is about 38,000 daily and 28,000 on Sunday. Both papers have very beautiful stone buildings, the Dayton building having been erected in 1908 and the Springfield building a few years ago. Both are monuments to James M. Cox’s industry, enterprise and foresight. On the other hand, one is not surprised at his business success after once working with him. A man with such energy and good judgment could not help getting on.
James M. Cox is surely a conservative business man. His two papers are profitable and all with newspaper experience know it requires much ability to successfully run a newspaper. Moreover, this success doubtless has been due to his ability to surround himself with able and conscientious men. He knows men and can select them with great skill. I was one day talking over his business career with a number of prominent Middletown business men. I asked: “To what do you ascribe the Governor’s great business success?”
With one breath they all answered: “To hard work.”
Unlike many business men, Mr. Cox has practically no outside interests. He has concentrated upon his papers endeavoring to give them the very best within him. This concentration has also had the additional advantage of keeping him independent. Although interested in the Ohio Cities Gas Company, he has no entangling alliances with railroads, street railways, banks or industrials of any kind. He is dependent upon prosperity; but he has no favorites. He wants every industry to prosper. Hence, perhaps, his campaign motto: “Peace, Progress and Prosperity.”