The losing candidates are apparently being told that John Arthur is getting the Times managing editor nod after all. A few weeks ago his name circulated, but after that he and several inside editors were invited to submit essays to Editor Jim O'Shea and, to some chagrin, to Publisher David Hiller. Don't know yet how the reporting lines will go, since there is already a second managing editor, Leo Wolinsky, and an associate editor in John Montorio. Arthur would fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Doug Frantz.

* Possibly this: I'm told Arthur will function as ME for News and Montorio as ME for Features, but how the actual titles will break I don't know yet.

Official word: O'Shea's memo follows:

I am delighted to name John Arthur Managing Editor/News and John Montorio Managing Editor /Features at the Los Angeles Times.

Few editors in this nation are fortunate enough to have the range of journalistic talent that I inherited when I walked into this newsroom last November. I selected these two excellent journalists after considering an impressive range of applicants from across the paper.

This was not an easy decision. Everyone I considered was qualified, competent and dedicated to making the Los Angeles Times the best newspaper in the world. All applicants were excellent journalists. I know that I made the right decision in John Arthur and John Montorio. They are solid proven leaders, journalists with impeccable credentials who are not afraid to speak their minds and take stands on the issues that will challenge us in the days ahead.

John Arthur knows The Times and its readers well. He has been with the newspaper since 1986. He's been the city editor and the managing editor of the Orange County Edition, worked on the national desk, was editor of the Valley Edition and was named one of four managing editors in 1997 with responsibility for the Valley, Orange County and Ventura editions as well as oversight of the Travel and Sports sections and the Times National Edition. Most recently he's been the editor of our front page. John is one of the most highly respected editors in the newsroom and is known for his editorial integrity, solid news judgment and aggressive approach to the news.

John Montorio is equally talented and admired. He is one of the nation's most accomplished features editors. As the newspaper's Associate Editor, he has overseen the creation of numerous new sections including the recently launched Image, revamped Travel and The Envelope print series. John oversaw the coverage of the newspaper's 125th anniversary as well as several special news projects paper-wide. He is an excellent journalist who is known for his creativity and decisiveness. Before joining The Times in 2001, John worked at the New York Times for 15 years, where he oversaw the launch of many signature features sections including The City and Sunday Styles, as well as supervised several departments as Associate Managing Editor. In his remarkable career, John has also edited the Sunday magazines at Newsday and the Washington Star. In his new role, John will be an authoritative voice as we confront issues that affect all departments at the paper.

We need to work together more than ever in these challenging times to make our paper better and more relevant to readers and users without diluting the excellence that is a hallmark of the Los Angeles Times. These two new dynamic leaders will play a big role in that process and will be integral as we continue to shape the integrated print and online editorial team foundation that will lead us to a new, prosperous and great future.

Leo Wolinsky, an excellent journalist who is now The Times sole Managing Editor, will retain his current title while we embark on a study of the department's organization to asses our needs for the future.

Please join me in congratulating both John Arthur and John Montorio in their new positions.

Jim