The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-08-12
EDITORIAL ASSOCIATIONS.

Some months since initiatory steps were
taken In Helena toward organizing an Edi.
torial or Publishers Association In Montana.
After consultation, IL was deemed best, ow-
ing to but few papers being represented at
the time. TO defer organi zation until the
week Of the Territorial Fair at Helena, and
previous thereto TO elicit an expression from
the Press of the Territory relative TO the adj
visibility of organization, and If II met with
approval, the views of the press as TO Its
scope, organization and objects. If the pro-
ject Is to be discussed As then suggested, 1t
Is time TO begin.
II was evidenced at the preliminary meet
ing there was wide diversity of opinion, not
only as TO the composition Of such an asso-
citation but as to the desirability Of forming
any whatever. The NEW NoRTu WEST
thinks that considerable good nigh. result
tberefrom, not the least Of which is estab-
fishing fraternity of feeling among Montana
newspaper men, at least Oh business issues.
The newspaper business Of this Territory Is
running stern foremost against strong
current, and as Montana fills up with news
papers, new people and methods of business
we will realize more wildly the necessity OF
taking the tide bow on. We allude 10 the
system of credit subscriptions. 1t might do
when we had half dozen newspapers, high
prices and few " old timers to deal with;
but with incoming thousands, the multiple
cation Of prints. low subscription rates aud
expensive canvassing, the publishers of Mon
tana will have TO readjust the system as has
had TO be done elsewhere. Four-hfths OF
Montana newspapers are now subscribed for
on credit. The margin for losses, use OF
capital and cost Of collecting may safely be
estimated at 35 to 40 per cent, leaving some
| s. net on a S. paper. With reduction
on rates ID will be necessary to have advance
subscriptions aud cheaper collections, or
there will bc more work done for glory than
fair profit, and it will require united action
to accomplish good results. ...
AT least one half the job work Of Montana
is done in the States, aud at least one-half
reasonable rates for foreign advertising goes
Into the maws of the advertising agents. The
former might be retained at home and the
latter pushed out of the road. A united pat
ronage might also secure paper and material
at better rates, and the daily papers at least
have opportunity to establish desirable
system Of local telegraph specials. These
are some of the matters, it strikes us, an as
ISOLATION might consider aud act upon ad
vantageously. All could not be accomplish
ed at once, but, after organization, as suehis
sues did present themselves they would b.
considered by q tribunal in which commun
lily of interest might have the force of uni
ted action.
We had only contemplated at this iim'
reminding our contemporaries of the adjourn
ed meeting, but having depressed somewhat
respectfully submit the matter to the con
sideration and expression Of other Journals
IL IL is deemed best for each TO "paddle hi
own Canoe" we are content, and think tha
would be preferable to a society merely TO
ornamental and excursion purposes. Blu
believing practical benefits are attainable h
this way If an association is had for bushes
purposes, we shall look with interest for tn
views of others interested.