The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-05-14
A JOURNALISTIC DUTY.

daily newspaper of this city to a circu-
lation of over 10000 copies puts upon
some reputable journal of this State
manifest duty to its craft. We have
hesitated somewhat to assume this duty.
as disagreeable as it is necessary, in the
hope that other pens might be enlisted
in the work. But natural reluctance to
be the first to speak cannot longer re-
strain the News, not on its own behalf,
but for the press of the State as whole,
from exposing the hollowness of this
pretence.
The interests of the reputable papers
of the State are one in this, and all alike
suffer; as dog fray did, from being in
evil company. Not to speak now for
the NEWS, which speaks for itself, we
believe that such papers as the Provi-
dsnce Journal, the Pawtucket Times,
the Woonsocket Reporter, and the Ob-
serrer and Ners of Newport can be
relied upon by intending purchasers of
advertising space to state their respec-
tive calculations as fairly, frankly and
candidly as possible. To the uninitiated a
word of explanation of the impossibility
of exact statement may be necessary.
Even on the most economically con-
Quoted journals there is always a cer-
tain percentage of issue which is un-
productive to advertisers. Such are the
exchange" papers and those sent to
distant mail subscribers-an enormous
number in the case of an old paper like
the Journdi-and those sent to the ad-
vertising agencies. Besides these, il is
never possible to state the number of
''returns" or unsold papers on a given
day until long after that day has passed,
three months after, in many cases. So
that the publisher who says that he is
selling "about" so many papers really
gives a more exact and truthful state
ment than the one who writes himself
down as very cheap and shallow sort
of charlatan by saying "my circulation
is exactly 20,544," with an emphasis on
the IA" Such statements are absurd
to experts. When made to others they
sometimes make business conditions
harder for reputable papers, and as be-
fore said it is rather in the interest of the
craft as whole than in our own that
we invite attention 10 the following
facts:
THE Claimants circulation is
almost confined to Providence itself. 1t
does not circulate in the country TO the
extent that the News and Journal do.
With possibly one exception, more
copies of the News are sent out upon
every railroad line centring in Provi-
dence than of this would be-rival.
2-Within the city itself, the Claim
ants sale is uneven-heayy at some
points and very light at others.
3-Politically, the Claimant, though
nominally Democratic, is hated by the
larger and more decent portion of It's
own party, who read by preference the
Republican and independent organs.
Ain guessing scheme with coupon
attachment vigorously advertised with
beat of drum and trumpet toot, the
Claimant received 1900 coupons and
claimed 10000. In coupon contest Of
somewhat more solid sense the NEWS
received 10000 coupons, very nearly,
and exhibited them in its office window
for more than week
5-The entire edition OF the Claimant
is printed on two ramshackle old presses
thrown out by the Chicago Ners. aud
one Of which was previously used on the
Boston Herald. These machines are
geared down to speed Of 5000 an hour
and are run with frequent stoppagcs and
'chokes' by cheap boys receiving from
81 TO $3.50 per week under the supervis-
ion of one pressman. Running printing
presses is mans work, especially where
there is much printing to be done. No
employe in the News press room receives
less than $l2 per week.
6-Tbe Claimant, for this and other
reasons, is under the ban of the powerful
and influential labor unions Of the State,