As to Dr. Girdner, Col. Mann had kicked at that from the beginning.
From what others told me, I know that Col. Mann vigorously objected to Dr. Girdner as Associate Editor.
I know that from time to time Col. Mann would inquire, “Does Watson still want that fellow Girdner?” I myself heard Col. Mann find fault with the Doctor for putting two signed articles in one number of the Magazine.
And I myself heard Col. Mann say, to me and others, in his own office, “I don’t believe Dr. Girdner could ever write a good article.”
When Col. Mann asked me whether Dr. Girdner were INDISPENSABLE TO ME, I frankly and truthfully said that he was not. The Colonel wanted to stop that salary. The Doctor was not willing to let his “honorarium” accumulate on the books. Like a sensible man, he was insisting upon drawing what was due him.
This was hurting Col. Mann. Hurting him very much. Therefore, after first ascertaining that I would remain in office, he put Girdner out, himself. As between an Editor who cashed in his “honorarium,” and one that allowed his to accumulate on the books, who could doubt which the Colonel would prefer?
It was I who insisted that Colonel Mann pay Dr. Girdner a sum which the Doctor naturally claimed as compensation for breach of contract.
Dr. Girdner himself should know best why he quit us, and the Doctor has written me a letter in which he says,
“I resigned the position of associate editor because my salary had not been paid for several months, and from the methods of the company and the report of its treasurer I did not think it was likely to be paid in future. Very truly yours,
JOHN H. GIRDNER.”
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