The poem that Ben Nicholson recites in The Journalists Club is "Richard Cory", by Edward Arlington Robinson.
Other headlines in the "Los Angeles Chronicle" with the story of Fletcher's murder:
"Building Code Under Fire" "Vicious Attacks Charge Favoritism in Dwellings"
"Plane Lost in Andes a Year Ago Still Untraced"
"Jury System Denounced" "Barristers Declare 'Trial by Judge' Best Method"
"American Mining Expert Asks British Citizenship"
"Court Seeks Adjournment" "Vital Evidence Expected to Arrive Here Next Week"