Hearst

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	William Randolph Hearst (赫斯特) 16
Alias(es)	“Newspaper king”; media tycoon; “king of public opinion” 16 17
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hearst Group; Hearst newspaper empire 35 36
Occupation/Role	Newspaper magnate and controller of dozens of newspapers 16
Status	Active 47
First Appearance	Chapter 16: Attack on Public Opinion

Background and History

Hearst controlled dozens of newspapers, including the San Francisco Examiner and the New York Journal, giving him access to millions of readers and enormous influence over American public opinion. Before Roosevelt took office, Hearst’s papers supported his campaign, promoted his public image, and attacked his political opponents. 16

After Roosevelt’s inauguration, Jack Morgan and other capitalists pressured Hearst to oppose the new administration. Hearst reluctantly agreed, and his papers stripped Roosevelt’s remarks about emergency powers of their context, fueling public unrest and calls for the newly inaugurated president to resign. 16

Roosevelt’s nationwide radio address bypassed Hearst’s newspapers altogether. Hearst unsuccessfully tried to persuade NBC, CBS, and other broadcasters to refuse the White House; after the Fireside Chat succeeded, he recognized that his control over public opinion had been seriously undermined. 17 18 21

Concerned by Feilan Roosevelt’s sudden influence in the Treasury Department and White House, Hearst used his intelligence network to investigate him and invited him to his Massachusetts Avenue Heights residence. He offered Feilan a highly paid Hearst Group consultant position and profitable share-subscription rights in exchange for helping repair his relationship with Roosevelt, but Feilan refused. 35 36

Hearst then presented photographs of Wall Street magnates entering the Treasury Building through a rear entrance, implying that he could use them against Roosevelt. Feilan neutralized the threat by explaining how the White House could frame the meeting in Roosevelt’s favor and warning that the New York World was gaining circulation by reporting more responsibly. 37 38

Later, Feilan sent Hearst evidence that Chase Bank president Albert Wiggin had borrowed from his own bank to short its stock. Facing the prospect of a rival paper breaking the story first and further damaging his empire, Hearst ordered all of his newspapers’ front pages replaced with the scandal. The resulting coverage helped ignite public outrage and congressional hearings into Wall Street corruption. 46 47

Appearance

Hearst maintains the bearing of a powerful media baron, though his losses in the conflict with Roosevelt visibly wear on him. During his meeting with Feilan, he attempts to project calm and composure despite clear exhaustion. 35

• Wears casual clothing and soft leather slippers in his residence rather than his public attire. 35
• Has fine lines of exhaustion around his eyes following the Fireside Chat’s success. 35
• Keeps his movements measured and deliberate to preserve an appearance of control. 35
• Often sits before a fireplace or radio in his study while monitoring Roosevelt’s broadcasts and the political situation. 19 21

Personality

Hearst is calculating, image-conscious, and accustomed to treating information as political power. He views his media empire as a means to shape reputations, elevate allies, and destroy opponents; his own maxim is that control of information means control of the country. 16 18

He is highly pragmatic when his interests are threatened. He initially cooperates with Wall Street against Roosevelt, attempts to block the radio address, offers Feilan a lucrative legal arrangement, and keeps compromising photographs as potential leverage. 16 17 36 37

Despite his confidence and experience, Hearst is deeply unsettled when Roosevelt’s Fireside Chat proves that public trust can bypass newspapers. Feilan’s ability to turn Hearst’s own methods of public-opinion manipulation against him leaves Hearst unable to respond effectively. 18 21 38

Abilities & Skills

Media Influence

Hearst commands a vast print-media network capable of influencing national political discourse.

• Controls dozens of newspapers across major American cities, including the San Francisco Examiner and New York Journal. 16
• Can elevate or ruin public figures through coverage and editorial framing. 16
• Used selective reporting to portray Roosevelt’s proposed emergency powers as a threat, helping spark protests. 16
• Retains enough national reach that his exposure of Albert Wiggin’s insider-trading scandal immediately spreads public outrage across the country. 46

Political Intelligence and Leverage

Hearst maintains extensive channels for gathering information from government and political circles.

• Keeps informants among Cabinet offices, congressional circles, and government clerks. 35
• Investigated Feilan’s personal history and emerging role in the Emergency Banking Act and Fireside Chat. 35
• Obtained and suppressed photographs of Wall Street leaders entering the Treasury Building through a rear entrance. 37
• His leverage is limited by Roosevelt’s ability to address the public directly by radio and by the public’s growing trust in the administration. 18 21 38

Media Holdings and Resources

• A newspaper empire reaching millions of readers, including the San Francisco Examiner and New York Journal. 16
• The Hearst Group, which can offer senior consulting posts and preferential rights to newly issued shares. 36
• A three-story Georgian Revival residence in Massachusetts Avenue Heights, marked “W.R.H.” 35
• Carvalho, his private secretary and intermediary. 35 36
• A Rolls-Royce Phantom II used to transport visitors. 35

Relationships

• Franklin D. Roosevelt — Former friend and political partner whose campaign Hearst’s papers supported; their relationship fractures after Hearst’s newspapers attack Roosevelt following the inauguration. 16 36
• Feilan Roosevelt — Political adversary and target of recruitment. Hearst seeks Feilan’s help restoring access to Roosevelt, but Feilan rejects his offer, defeats his photographic leverage, and later forces him to expose Albert Wiggin. 35 36 37 38 46
• Jack Morgan — Wall Street associate who asks Hearst to join the capitalists’ response to Roosevelt’s policies. 16
• Carvalho — Hearst’s private secretary, who delivers offers, presents the photographs, and acts as Hearst’s attendant and messenger. 35 36 37
• Albert Wiggin — Chase Bank president whose insider-trading activities Hearst exposes on his newspapers. 46
• Pulitzer Group / New York World — A competing media force whose rising circulation becomes a direct threat to Hearst’s dominance. 38

Notable Quotes

“Whoever controls information controls the country.” 18

“Feilan... you damned bastard!” 46

Trivia

• Hearst’s newspapers were Roosevelt’s “sharpest weapon of public opinion” during the campaign before becoming a hostile force after the inauguration. 16
• He is particularly shaken by the Fireside Chat because Roosevelt gains public trust through a medium Hearst cannot edit, reframe, or control. 17 18 38
• His decision to expose Wiggin is not presented as a moral conversion; it is the only viable choice left to protect the credibility and survival of his media empire. 46 47