The World Building on Park Row.

Working for a man as relentless as Pulitzer could be an alternately rewarding and terrifying experience. His many telegrams and letters to subordinates reveal that he was quick to offer both sanction and praise, depending on his quick judgement. When someone performed poorly in the office, the publisher did not waste time improving his organization. Henry W. Moore sent correspondence notifying Pulitzer that his wishes had been followed regarding one employee. "I have written Austin and he will cease his connection with the P-D on the 28th." ⁴⁴ 

To motivate editors, he often assigned two competent men to positions with overlapping authority. He often asked the men to report on each other in writing. Pulitzer tried not to encourage backbiting, but he did insist on accuracy. If one employee complained harshly of another's performance, he would forward the report to the offending loafer. He sent the following letter to editor Don Seitz a few days after the Maine disaster:

The letter reveals the publisher's ambivalence about revealing his motives. He readily admitted that he thought employees worked more efficiently in a competitive atmosphere. Also, most of his employees knew that they were expected to spy on one another. Pulitzer thought the system worked, but over the years he lost many competent editors who disagreed with his methods.

Another way the publisher sought to make his newspapers stronger was by encouraging thrift. John A. Cockerill, Managing Editor at the World, wrote Pulitzer on many subjects regarding the office in June 1885. Cockerill explained why the paper was suffering from poor print quality: "The types are absolutely worn out." ⁴⁶ 

Although Pulitzer sometimes skimped on materials and supplies, he never tried to save money on salaries. In December 1884, Ignaz Kapper, Business Manager of the Post-Dispatch, wrote to confirm that he had followed the boss's orders: "I have paid Mr. Moore $300 and . . . I have given Mr. Taylor $100 with your compliments. Both will write you, I suppose, but they also desire me to express their thanks." Moore did write back thanking Pulitzer and wished him a happy New Year. ⁴⁷ 

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