The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20
County Editorial AsSOcia'n
BY w. D. SMITH, Winnebago city Enterprise

The county editorial association, If in
telligently organized and directed has,
IN most instances, proven beneht to the
craft. With the history OF labor, trade
and business combinations being daily
written, it would seem worse than useless
to argue the necessity of such union for
the editor and the printer. All other lines
Of trade and labor are thoroughly or
ganized. In my own county FaribaulD
the physicians, the druggists, the dairy
men and buttermakerS, as we'll as other
avocations and professions have success
full local associations; also County
Editorial Association in fairly good
working order for several years past,
with much financial good very naturally
resulting. What, then, is the reason why
the printing and publishing fraternity do
not more generally unite for mutual profit
and benefit? Probably the word dis
hrust' would furnish the best brief an
Swer to my query.
It is high time that price-cutting and
rate slashing be stopped. In what other
business is there so much of this business
foolishness followed. or even permitted?
! answer: In none other under the sun,
of which We have any knowledge. We
run ''legals'' for the rich attorney, next
door, at from 20 to so per cent of the
statutory rates. Employ this same at
torney to defend your libel suit and
what Of his legal charges, when pay
day comes? Full price, and rightly, too.
Honest toll, or service, is worthy Of lib
eral compensation. Were the editors OF
any county to stand firmly for what the
law says is legally and rightfully their
due their annual income would be nicely
Increased, and the ready print" bills
correspondingly decreased. Legal no
tices OF all kinds must be published, and
In the county In which they originate.
Not one in hundred will go away from
your town, if the legal rate were rigidly
exacted by every paper in the county. Did
getting illegal" published for one-half
rate and then bill his client for full legal
rates? Fees from two sources you see!
What precious set of four-ply chumps
we are to be thus cutting our own threats
financially
But, says some one: II am perfectly
willing to join county association, but
there is Jones, or Brown. or Smith, who
will not stick to the agreement. At the
very first chance he will cut loose and
slash right and left Distrust, you see!
Admit that this is true, still it is not a
sufficient excuse for not giving the plan
a trial. 1t is hardl possible that upon
the editors of county meeting together,
and plain fair, candid business discus
sion had, that any quill pusher will not
come into line. no matter how unfair or
distrustful.
The real trouble with the country news
paper business, Is too general lack of
business methods. Let us put our call
ing on the same level as that of banking
or merchandising; let US shake off the
cut-throat competition and shilly-shally
business methods; let US dignity and
elevate our splendid profession. In a
great degree this can be done by put
ting to an end the practice Of TRADING
OUT with our customers bills for. job
work, subscriptions and advertising.
Why should the newspaper man follow
this hoary, moss-grown practice any more
than the banker, the lawyer or the doc
tor?
Another thing: Have a rate card for
your advertisers. Use all men alike!
The writer has one price to all men. We
play no favorites! Our books are open
for Inspection, Every man carrying an
ad in the Enterprise knows that he Is
paying exactly the same rate as is his
next door neighbor. This is business. It
creates confidence, and confidence ere
ates business. Do the same with prices
on job work. subscriptions, paid locals