The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-26
A SEVERE ARRANGEMENT.

The Union for Practical Progress has
passed an extraordinary resolution. This
is an earnest and intelligent body of citi-
zens, who, among other things, desire to
see the City come into possession OF the
plants for furnishing lights and water.
Its proceedings have been reported in the
San Francisco CALL with the complete
ness which so important interests
as it represents deserve. The union
has hard fight on its hands and its labors
are arduous, these latter requiring thor
ough study of the facts and principles
upon which it's struggle is based. 1t is
proper that all intelligent citizens should
acquire as much information as possible
on these subjects so closely related to their
comfort, health and prosperity and part
of the work of the Union for Practical
Progress is to secure and present this H.
formation. Such presentation is made at
the meetings of the union, and THE CALL,
in the pursuit of its business of publishing
a newspaper for all, has been reporting
these meetings and publishing the facts
there presented. Such is the duty Of
any and every high class, independent
newspaper published in the interest of the
community.
1t is somewhat surprising, therefore, to
observe that this is regarded as a remark
able thing in San Francisco journalism
something with which the people are not
yet familiar, and deserving of praise by
reason of being both meritorious and I'M
common. We regret the necessity for this
popular view of journalism in San Fran
cisco. The corollary OF it seems to be that
the power of the press in the legitimate
pursuit of its vocation through a spirit of
perfect disinterestedness and a desire to
aid in upbuilding the City without refer
ence to small private ends that might be
advanced By pursuing a different course
as not bsen hitherto properly and fully
exercised. This is deplorable, fer it bears
very close relation to the growth and
prosperity of the City.
The Union for Practical Progress adopt
ed a resolution Tuesday evening charging
the great dailies of our cities with a ten
dency to ignore or misrepresent move
ments inaugurated for the public good,
and with distorting the speeches and acts
of persons who are working for the COM
mon good; that 'the newspapers owned
by wealthy men and corporations allied
together in a powerful association have
demonstrated that they are no longer con-
Quoted by men who are true to the funda-
mental principles of our Government" In
stead of this the resolution declares that
''the daily press of our large cities are dis
posed to publish the horrible details of
murder trials, the indecent scandals of
divorce proceedings" and other matters in
undue prominence. Hence the union de-
clares: I'VE are grateful whenever any of
their number show disposition to publish
correctly the local news and information
regarding matters of vital Importance, and
since the San Francisco CALL has mani.
tested disposition to give to its readers
valuable information regarding the public
ownership of land and of water and electric
light works, while all the other papers
have remained silent on these vital SUBJ
iects," it is therefore resolved by the union
that we extend our thanks to The CALL
for its unbiased publication of such IN
formation and news, and commend it for
the course it has taken regarding the
Durrant trial and the lotteries
THE CALL cannot but feel gratifed by
this evidence of intelligent appreciation of
It's policy. If its example serve so good an
end as the making of such a resolution of
censure and communication unnecessary,
for the reason that all its contemporaries
pursue similar course, its qualification
will be still deeper and more lasting.