Page Editor

Opinion pages and the people who create them too often are a mystery to a daily newspaper's readers. For that reason, The Sun today is running brief biographical sketches of the editors, writers and support staff behind the editorial and op-ed pages.These are the people who help craft the newspaper's institutional opinions that appear each day in the editorial columns; who verify and edit the letters from readers; who work with contributors to the Opinion * Commentary page, which is designed to allow a variety of voices on local, state, national and international issues to be heard; who talk to readers with questions or comments; and who schedule the meetings with members of the public that are a regular part of the editorial page staff's week.

Jacqueline Thomas, the 44-year-old Washington bureau chief of the Detroit News, was named yesterday as editor of The Sun's editorial page.Thomas, who starts work May 19, will succeed Joseph R. L. Sterne, 68, who has been editorial page editor -- the person responsible for expressing the newspaper's opinion on issues -- since 1972.Sterne, who has served longer in the job than anyone in The Sun's history, said he would retire in June after a transition period.Publisher Mary E. Junck introduced Thomas to the newspaper's top managers yesterday morning as having an "almost ideal background" for the job.Thomas, who has headed the Detroit newspaper's Washington bureau since 1994, said: "I am thrilled to be here and look forward to getting to know all of you, and I can't wait to start."

Bradford McElderry Jacobs, retired Evening Sun editorial page editor whose front-page endorsement helped catapult Harry R. Hughes from obscurity to the governorship in 1978, died Saturday afternoon of complications from lung surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital.The Stevenson resident was 76.In his distinguished 44-year career as a journalist, editor and author, there was perhaps no more thrilling moment or greater achievement than securing for Mr. Hughes the Democratic nomination for governor.

PHILIP M. WAGNER, the editor of this page from 1943 to 1963, was witness to the transformation of The Sun from "the good club" it was in the days of H.L. Mencken to a newspaper that today is more focused on its readers than its writers.For most of the Thirties, Forties and Fifties, "brain alley" at The Sun was the scene of fierce intellectual debate (and not a few personal feuds) among such luminaries as John Owens, Hamilton Owens, Gerald Johnson, C.P. Ives, Thomas O'Neill, A.D. Emmart, Price Day and other legendary opinion-makers of their day.Mr.

Today, 40 years after his death, 48 years after a stroke stilled his voice and pen forever, 116 years after his birth, Henry Louis Mencken endures as the most quoted of all American writers. I can't imagine anything that could donate more joy to his afterlife than the fact that he continues to enrage at least as many people as he pleases.Since he ridiculed the very idea of afterlife, there would be a doubling of pleasure in this. (Henry, if you're up - or down - there, please call the office.

Stanley A. Blumberg, a Baltimore author, inventor and Middle Eastern expert who collaborated on two books about nuclear physicist Edward Teller, died yesterday of heart failure at his Mount Washington residence. He was 83.Armed with his ever-present pipe and ballpoint, Mr. Blumberg produced a torrent of articles over the years that encompassed a wide variety of issues from science to economics and the affairs of Israel.It was on a visit to Israel that Mr. Blumberg noticed Dr. Teller standing outside of a Tel Aviv hotel, introduced himself to the man often called the father of the hydrogen bomb, and asked why no one had written his biography.

Tricia SlaterSchool: Glenelg High SchoolHometown: Ellicott CityAge: 18Her accomplishments: Tricia has been involved with class government for several years. She's senior class president and has served as junior class president, as well as freshman and sophomore class vice-president.She also serves as a peer mediator and features page editor for the school newspaper. Last year, she was activities page editor for the school yearbook.She plays varsity lacrosse and field hockey and runs indoor track.

RAY JENKINS retires today after 10 years as editorial page editor of The Evening Sun.On Jan. 1, 1992, Joseph R.L. Sterne will assume the editorship of the editorial pages of The Evening Sun in addition to his present duties as editor of the editorial pages of The Sun.Under this reorganization, Sara Engram, who has been deputy editor for the past 10 years, will become editorial director in charge of The Evening Sun editorial page. Barry Rascovar, who has been deputy editor of The Sun, will assume the role of editorial director of The Sun's editorial page.

Although some people disagree, I feel the holiday season is a good time in which to look for a job, because:* Many companies streamline operations at year's end, replacing inefficient people with good ones.* Competition is low; few other people will look during holidays.* Many bosses are free to see you; all executives don't party, travel, goof off, etc.* Many bosses will admire your conscientiousness.JOB HINTS: Don't send out a flock of resumes; try hard for personal interviews; look in your neighborhood first; tell friends and neighbors you're looking; talk only to people who have power to hire you; before interviews, learn all about the company.