The Newspaper World > Cable Code Book
The World
Cable Code Book used by H. A. Jenks
New York, ca. 1906
World Papers, Box 40
This is the only known surviving copy of the codebook created by Pulitzer and used by him to communicate with his top staff by cable and telegram as he traveled the globe. In the 5,000-entry book, Pulitzer developed a nomenclature for all the elements of his world: codes for politicians, rivals, business terms, amounts of money, himself and family members, and even the weather.
He himself had a number of names, including “Andes” and “Marksman.” Theodore Roosevelt was “Glutinous.” The Republican Party was “Malaria.” William Randolph Hearst’s Journal was “Medusa.”
All replies had to include the word “semaphore,” meaning, as defined in the volume: “I have read twice and fully, clearly, surely understand and acknowledge your cable. I will do my best after consideration and would certainly cable back and ask a question if I did not understand or felt uncertain.”
Gift of Joseph Pulitzer, Jr.