New York Herald Tribune Tribute
Thirty-five years have passed since the lamented New York Herald Tribune was last published. Yet, the paper's influence continues to be felt today, primarily through its many alumni whose careers have shaped, and in some cases, continue to shape journalism.
Known for its exceptional writing, the paper's esteemed list of alumni include sportswriter Walter W. (Red) Smith, political philosopher Walter Lippmann, feature writers Tom Wolfe and Jimmy Breslin and cultural critic Judith Crist.
The business and financial section had its share of standouts as well. The first Gerald Loeb Award for business writing in 1958 was awarded to staff member David Steinberg.
 David Steinberg |
 Donald Rogers |
 Ben Weberman |
Other business section alumni include CNN's Myron Kandel, the last financial editor of the paper, the legendary editor C. Norman Stabler, Joseph Kaselow, known as the dean of advertising columnists, Elliott V. Bell, one of the founders of the New York Financial Writers' Association, Jagnotes.com columnist Dan Dorfman and Forbes contributing editor Richard Phalon.
At the luncheon, we are also honoring two former NYHT alumni as Business News Luminaries: Los Angeles Times senior economics Jim Flanigan and Ben Weberman, who was known for his formidable grasp of the bond market and his ability to relay that knowledge. The paper's historic pedigree as the product of the 1924 merger of Horace Greeley's Tribune and James Gordon Bennett's Herald rightly gave the publication a place in history.
However, beyond its exceptional writing and reporting what truly defined the paper was its ardent competition with The New York Times. With a smaller staff and less financial fortitude, the Herald Tribune managed to go head-to-head with the Times, often beating the publishing powerhouse.
Whether it was its role as an underdog, its less than ideal working conditions or just the chemistry of the staff, business and financial section alumni fondly remember it as a fun place to work. Said Gene Smith, who came to the NYHT from the Wall Street Journal and then went to the Times afterwards, "It was the happiest newspaper I ever worked on."
 The New York Herald Tribune business section in 1951 |
 Relaxing after a long day in 1949 |
