Correspondence with Hedley Lockett (1876?-1953), journalist, relating to Lockett's employment at the Manchester Guardian. There is an initial application, with details of previous experience, which is unsuccessful, [followed by a successful application for employment as a reporter by the paper in 1903]. There is discussion of salary, and also of Lockett's appointment as chief reporter, and of whether Lockett's work has given satisfaction. There is reference to an [unknown] scheme for improvements in the reporters' room, and requests by Lockett for meetings with Scott.
Also included is correspondence relating to the termination of Lockett's employment as chief reporter, and offer instead of the editorship of the Manchester Guardian Weekly, which is accepted. There is a letter of support for Lockett from the reporters of the Manchester Guardian, on his removal as chief reporter, which is acknowledged. There is correspondence relating to Lockett's salary, which is reduced owing to his change in role, and discussion of an additional amount to be paid in order to support the education of Lockett's son, with discussion of the length of this additional stipend, a misunderstanding as to the negotiations for this alteration in salary, and internal memoranda discussing Lockett's response to the changes.
There is discussion of the procedure for the publication of letters to the editor in the Manchester Guardian Weekly, with Scott's decision that letter should be first published in the daily version of the paper. There is also later discussion of the printing of letters to the editor in the Manchester Guardian Weekly, for which E.T. Scott suggests a change in policy, and the approval of this approach by Scott. Also included is discussion of arrangements for the provision of a paragraph on items of interest in the Manchester Guardian Weekly, which will be produced to publicise the paper, particularly to readers abroad, and will be published in the Manchester Guardian, the Manchester Evening News, the Manchester Guardian Commercial and the Manchester Guardian City News.
There is correspondence between Lockett and E.T. Scott, relating to a change in the procedure for reports on the Manchester Guardian Weekly, with discussion of Lockett's involvement in the selection of subjects for leader articles. Also included is discussion of additional responsibilities given to Lockett in terms of editorship of the sports page, and provision of the finance trade and shipping notes for the weekly paper, with discussion of Lockett's approach, and concerns expressed by Lockett as to a lack of qualification and knowledge of sport. There is correspondence relating to discussion of a reduction in salary for Lockett, owing to the need of the Manchester Guardian to economise.