The Washington Daily News

"Washington Daily News" was a tabloid style newspaper serving the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

History

The newspaper was founded on November 8, 1921 and competed with four established local daily newspapers: the "Washington Post", the "Washington Times" (not to be confused with the current "Washington Times)," the "Washington Herald", and the "Washington Star" ("The Evening Star"). The newspaper's masthead had "The News" printed in large, bold letters, with "Washington Daily" printed in small letters between them, over a rendering of the U.S. Capitol dome. Unlike its rivals, the paper was printed in a tabloid format.

The Washington Daily News was purchased by and merged with the competing Washington Star in 1972. The new paper was soon renamed the "Washington Star News". By the late 1970s the word News completely disappeared from the title.

Ownership

The Washington Daily News was owned by the E. W. Scripps Company. The newspaper was born on November 8, 1921 and competed with four established local daily newspapers, the Washington Post, the Washington Times (not to be confused with the current Washington Times), the Washington Herald, and the Washington Star (The Evening Star). The newspaper's masthead had "The News" printed in large, bold letters, with "Washington Daily" printed in small letters between them, over a rendering of the U.S. Capitol dome. In 1972, The Washington Daily News was purchased by and merged with the competing Washington Star. The new paper was soon renamed the "Washington Star News". By the late 1970s the word News completely disappeared from the title.

The Washington Daily News was the home newspaper for Ernie Pyle, the famed war correspondent. People who gained recognition while working at the Daily News include Judy Mann, who was part of an early Vietnam protest sit-in at Columbia. Others who gained recognition from the News include Nick Blatchford, famed for his writing and his pioneer work in racial relations; Dick Starnes, author of mystery books; Tom Kelly, author and humorist; Tom Donnelly, famed for book reviews and off-beat view of life; Richard Hollander, the editor; John T.O'Roarke, the previous editor; Sam Gordon, who so believed in UFOs; Bill Beall who won a Pulitzer for a photo of trust between a child and a police officer; Samuel A. Stafford - Heywood Broun Award winner (and Pulitzer runner-up for investigative reporting) famous for stories that unmasked the Surplus Food program abuses which led to the modern food stamps and WIC programs; Martha Strayer, who was so important to the city the school board held a meeting in her hospital room so she could attend and report; Stan Felder, who was the City Editor during the turbulent 60s; and other names equally worth Wikiing on their own: Henry Altman, Dan Hoik, Nina Hyde, Anne Crutcher, Marian Burroughs, Louise Lague, George Clifford, and each and every person who drew a pay check from 1013 13th St. NW, D.C.

The paper was a sentimental favorite in the Washington area, loaded with stellar talent in its heyday, and the favored newspaper of the D.C-majority African-American population in Washington at a time when this market for newspapers was secondary. When it finally closed its doors in 1972, the huge letters outside the printing presses and offices were removed and given to the reporters and others as keepsakes, some of which were turned into coffee tables.

The Chief Photographer was William C."BILL" Beall, who won many photography awards and had full page photos in Life and other publications.

References