5 SEPTEMBER 1947, Page 18

READING MATTER OR HEADLINES?

Stit,—In fairness to the Government in the matter of paper supplies to the Press, ought not the fact be recorded that, in one of the London morning papers, the headlines—not to speak of a very liberal allowance of cross headings—occupy more than five feet of single columns in three of its four pages (the fourth is sport)? May I suggest that the chief sub-editors of the London dailies get together and come to an agreement to reduce the space thus wasted? Perhaps I should add that I write on the basis of some experience of what can and cannot be done: I was for thirteen years a sub-editor on metropolitan dailies.—Yours very truly,

J. W. ROBERTSON-SCOTT.