Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-08-06
EDITOR AND BANKER.
The Importance of an Understanding
Ref,Meen Than

Between Them.
John A. Sleicher, editor of Leslie's Week
ly, in an address on THE Editor and the
Banker delivered before the National
Editorial association in session at Omaha
this week, spoke In part as follows:
Wealth means money, but it is not
money until 1t Is converted into uasl,, or
credit usually the equivalent OF cash
Business men are seeking safe process
by which wealth can be conveniently ex-
changed into cash. The more complicated
the method of exchange the more difficult
1t becomes to obtain money for the uses
of commerce, and the greater the hard
ships of those who have wealth and neod
money or credit. the greater the suffering
+ of all. Newspaper publishers can endure
a panic perhaps as we'll as any other In
duStrial class, but no one wants panic
less than We and no members of so
ciety have 1t in their power to aid more
potentially IN preventing OF In bringing
on a panic than editors. great and small.
This Is the reeaon why / depart from the
customary usage and deal with elbjee+
not ordinarily touched upon NJ our con-
ventions.
III the editor seeks a special article for
his columns, he obtains ii from special
list IT he is gathering facts on agricul-
ture. he talks with a farmer. IL llc Ia
reviewing Il medical Gaze, he consults a
physician or surgeon. II he Is discuss-
ing theology, he appeals to d Clergyman.
or law, to . lawyer. Why. therefore. In
discussing business matters and banking
should he not coneult the banker? How
many editors In our smaller communities
are guided in their utterancea on finnn-
cial questions by the opinions OF the local
banker. the best financial authority IN the
place? Your local banker Is usually one
1
cess has emphasized his integrity and
honesty, and he IL safe adviser. Finan-
claI questions are too often made political
Issues, and the EDITOR, ignoring the bank
err takes his cue from the politician who
probably knows less about finance than
any other man In the community, and
whose contempt for the editor has just
/ been shown In boss-ridden Pennsylvania
by the passage Of a libel law so Infamous
that no decent citizen In the common
wealth can defend 1t.
Not in this generation have our finances
been in a more critical condition. Emil
nent members OF the senate are now con
sulting and are preparing, months before
the approaching session, TO meet the re-
quireInenta Of an extraordinary sttuaiion.
Unless substantial agreement on conser-
vative lines, Is secured. 30 that congress
/ can act promptly. all business interestS
must suffer severely. 1t Is grave sitna-
| ton, and, as editors we have every right
TO be concerned about 1t.
THE question rises higher than any
plane of politics. 1t involves the patriot
/ ism OF every citizen. Whera do we And
better ctizena than the bankers of our
/ home communities? Who command tho
1 public confidence and respect in greater
degree? To whom do we appeal to lead
/ in every good work. to AID In our phil
+ anthropies and to help uItl.ft our civic
! pride? No banker will fail to be honored
! by call from the editor OF his local paper
for advice regarding financial legislation,
ard with the benefit of such advice the
editor can deal more satisfactorily with
! fiscal problems than II he follows the
! whims and notions Of political spell.dnd-
ers or pays heed to the pleadings of sell
fish partisans.
No one is more staiwart In his parti-
! sanship than / am but there IRE questions
whichStranscend politics and which do
not belong to it's domain Let the editor,
as a leader In his community, lead not
| only In party matters. but let him Lead
| In every patriotic purpose and In every
movement for the public welfare. Let him
( remember that the basis of s;ccessfu
| government, the foundation OF busir,ess
prosperity, is safe. secure and settled
lie for him and for all the best interests Of
banking system, and that the nearer tue
| editor gets to the banker the bette> It will
the community in which both reside"