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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Accident kills man, closes Coos Bay bridge 10 things to know for Thursday Community blog: Domestic Violence- "No More Silence" Emergency services Winters worn down by criticism Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Community blog: Domestic Violence- "No More Silence" Emergency services Winters worn down by criticism Home invasion robbery suspect who skipped town two years ago arrested in L.A. Man with long criminal history sentenced to 10 years for firearm possession Politics and Elections Winters worn down by criticism Eagle Point might get on the bus Richardson accuses Kitzhaber of 'corruption' in final debate Green Party won't back its own candidate Jobs at core of Oregon House race Education SOU student says free speech issue overblown SOU interim president leads in a different direction Medford school officials consider costs of full-day kindergarten Foundation kicks off ambitious 'Count Me In' fundraising campaign 100 hours and counting Environment Neighbors smell trouble in proposal to spread waste on Sams Valley farmland Bear cub captured in Ashland pharmacy Work begins on Southern Oregon's first dedicated mountain bike trail Applegate Dam hydroelectric project dead in water Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt State news Nation - World Obituaries Ronald J. Hupp Death Notices Gary Wayne Campbell Carrol Allen Adams Dixie Alene Davis Kruggel Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories North girls edge South in cross-town battle North-South prep for Black and Blue battle Panther boys, girls qualify for state meet Rookie Randle leads Lakers past Blazers 94-86 Royals clobber Giants 7-2 to even World Series Varsity 541 College Sports Slumping Bears hope to slow No. 6 Oregon, Mariota Shaw shoulders blame for Stanford's slide As SEC rules rankings, calls of #SECBias rise Oregon inches way back into playoff race UO’s Dargan sets the tone for improving defense Pro Sports Rookie Randle leads Lakers past Blazers 94-86 Royals clobber Giants 7-2 to even World Series Manning won’t laugh at a keep-away encore Bumgarner, Giants jump all over Royals in opener On road to recovery, Marinovich finds painting Community Sports LOCAL EVENTS LOCAL RESULTS Business Latest Stories Sportsman's Warehouse to add Klamath Falls store County OKs partnership to lead business recruitment People's Bank sees 64% net earnings gain New I-5 interchange puts south Medford on fast lane to fast food County's jobless rate unchanged in September Real Estate News New I-5 interchange puts south Medford on fast lane to fast food Lithia buys Clovis dealership Rental vacancies increase Jackson County real estate sales, prices continue rebound Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford People In Business People in Business Transportation Frontier Airlines to end Eugene-Denver service Business Resource Fair has answers Erickson's Navy contract extended Lithia buys Clovis dealership Agriculture Hundreds look for work at Harry & David hiring fair Umpqua Holdings more than doubles net earnings Harry & David will hold hiring fair Thursday Ranchers offer livestock exchange 1-800-Flowers CEO: Labor shortage an issue for Harry & David Opinion Latest Our View: Kitzhaber is still the best choice George Will: In Kentucky, a constitutional moment Letters to the Editor, Oct. 23 Granlund cartoon: McDonald’s profits drop Letters to the Editor, Oct. 22 Editorials Our View: Kitzhaber is still the best choice Our view: Merkley-Wehby race leaves us unconvinced; Walden seems destined for permanent position Our View: Falls for sheriff, our picks for state House Our view: Endorsements include Bates, Talbert, Hoppe Reversing course: Hoppe for judge Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Oct. 23 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 22 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 21 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 20 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 19 Guest Opinions Don't overlook importance of Jackson County commissioners race Measure 92 misleads rather than enlightens Oregonians have a right to know what's in their food Infill is the answer to growth issues Guest Opinion: Who’s really to blame for 2014 wildfires? Lifestyle Latest stories Marketta Gregory: Pass along a compliment Community blog: There's a method to mix, match alternative grains How to live and work in a tiny home Joan Endyke: The importance of a healthy diet when pregnant Ashland resident's cookbook showcases gluten-free creativity Food Community blog: There's a method to mix, match alternative grains Ashland resident's cookbook showcases gluten-free creativity Legder David Cellars has a new winemaker and big plans Kitchen Call: New interest in old-fashioned buttermilk Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Cheese balls deserve more respect Home and Garden How to live and work in a tiny home Dear Monty: Rent-back clause prevents financial disaster​ Recycle plastic at The Expo Friday and Saturday How to know when trees and shrubs need to go Dear Monty: Is your real estate agent a secret agent? Health Joan Endyke: The importance of a healthy diet when pregnant Community blog: Listening Skills for the Brave and Passionate: Taking it to the Next Level Held captive by whimsy Community blog: My New Best Selling Book Dr. Jeff Hersh: The enterovirus is not new Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion briefs First Church of Nazarene plans cleanup Milestones and Achievements New arrivals Southern Oregon Pride parade celebrates gay marriage ruling New Arrivals Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Dean Angermeier rediscovers his 'roots' Medieval imagery inspires Portland artist Blog: Dark house Review: Funny 'Lion in Winter' roars to life at Camelot Theatre Yu's Yummy Yan's offers great take-out Theater Camelot presents 'The Lion in Winter' 'Carnage' is short, smart, darkly funny Music Dean Angermeier rediscovers his 'roots' Moonalice plays Applegate Lodge A cappella fellas sing for schools The Farr Side: Bryan Adams releases album of influential hits Tutunov Piano Series begins at SOU Community Events Review: Funny 'Lion in Winter' roars to life at Camelot Theatre Theater's haunted house not for faint of heart Third Fridays in downtown Medford Works in progress Southern Oregon Pride Festival celebrates diversity Dining Yu's Yummy Yan's offers great take-out Agave offers tasty tacos Asian cuisine for all seasons at Misoya Bistro Spoons Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Accident kills man, closes Coos Bay bridge ... Our View: Kitzhaber is still the best choice ... Winters worn down by criticism ... Accident kills man, closes Coos Bay bridge ... Our View: Kitzhaber is still the best choice ... Winters worn down by criticism ... The editor known as 'E.A.' left a lasting imprint Editor's note: This is the third in a six-day series on the 100-year history of the Mail Tribune. By CLEVE TWITCHELL MailTribune.com By CLEVE TWITCHELL Posted Nov. 4, 2009 @ 12:05 am By CLEVE TWITCHELL Posted Nov. 4, 2009 @ 12:05 am » Social News Editor's note: This is the third in a six-day series on the 100-year history of the Mail Tribune. While Robert W. Ruhl dominated the first third of the Mail Tribune's history, another name that would become famous dominated the second third. He didn't own the newspaper, but his editorials, news judgment and civic activities had a profound effect on the community. His name was Eric W. Allen Jr. The signature "E.A." at the end of editorials was a trademark from the 1950s to early 1980s. Allen wrote as many as 16 editorials a week. Allen joined the Mail Tribune in 1948 as its first city editor. He became managing editor in 1956 and then editor in 1964. He wrote prolifically until his retirement in 1985. He died 21 months later at the age of 66. "One of my great efforts in editorial writing is to be fair," said Allen in a 1985 interview. "I've always had some supporters, even when things got pretty hot. I've always been opposed to bigotry and prejudice, and I've always been in favor of civil liberties." When Allen retired, Mail Tribune Publisher Gil Bogley said, "Eric Allen earned for himself and this newspaper a reputation for editorial strength coupled with genuine humanitarian concern." Stephen Ryder, publisher from 1973 to 1982, added, "Eric represented the highest standards of editorial integrity and quality." The going was not always easy. Some readers viewed Allen as too far to the left for what they perceived as a conservative community. Allen himself would sometimes joke that when he made an editorial endorsement during a political campaign, it could be a "kiss of death." Some readers would routinely vote the opposite of what he suggested. Election officials once discovered that someone had cast a write-in vote for "Eric Allen Knucklehead" for county commissioner. Another detractor publicly called him "the little lord dictator of Jackson County," something he took with a good sense of humor. During the middle part of the century, Allen ran the news operation. He didn't hesitate to let reporters and editors know when they had erred or praise them when they'd done a good job. He was a stickler for accuracy and proper use of the English language. He didn't believe in using bylines on most local news stories, feeling that the news was what counted, not the personalities who wrote the stories. Reviews and commentaries carried only the writer's initials, at the end. An occasional byline had to be earned. He also liked to see as many stories as possible on Page 1A. The paper was wider in the 1960s and early '70s — nine columns compared to six columns today. One edition during Allen's tenure ran with 36 stories on the front, counting all the briefs and fillers. Also in the 1970s there was a trend in journalism toward using short, colorful opening sentences in news stories. Instead of "Susan Jones, 8, won the 4-H rabbit club competition at the county fair Saturday," a reporter might have said, "A cute girl with freckles wowed them." Allen thought this technique was a bit ridiculous and overdone. To illustrate his point, he came up with a satire for staff eyes only: "Dead. That's what the man was when police found him." Allen was born Sept. 14, 1920, in Eugene. Journalism and writing were a logical pursuit for him. His father, Eric W. Allen, founded the University of Oregon journalism school and served as its dean for 30 years. His mother, Sally Allen, was a nationally known poet, playwright and author. Prior to coming to the Mail Tribune, Allen worked for United Press (which later became United Press International). He headed the bureau in Fresno, Calif., as the agency's youngest bureau chief. He transferred to Salem in 1944. He also served as private secretary to two Oregon governors, Earl Snell and John Hall. While in Fresno, in 1943, he married the former Betty Magee. A noted artist, Betty Allen was one of the founders of the Rogue Gallery & Art Center in Medford. She died in 1982. While many present-day editors shy away from civic involvement in order to avoid any possible conflict of interest, Allen did the opposite. He served on many boards and commissions, ranging from the Rogue River National Forest Advisory Council and State Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Association and Medford Public Library Board of Trustees. He was a co-founding trustee of Mercy Flights Inc. and served as its treasurer from 1950 to 1985. A 1993 Mail Tribune story about Eric W. Allen Jr. noted that, after his death, one reader wrote: "Self-examination is important to us both as individuals and as members of a democratic form of government. I hope that those who resented Eric Allen's occasional criticisms will come to realize that they were done in the spirit of asking how we can do better." Now retired, Cleve Twitchell was a member of the Mail Tribune news staff from 1961 to 2002. E-mail him at [email protected]. By CLEVE TWITCHELL MailTribune.com By CLEVE TWITCHELL Posted Nov. 4, 2009 @ 12:05 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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