New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-25
rn130R AND ADVERTISER.

Mr.. Charles r. GrasVy. Of THE Baltimore
News" has Just been having an interesting en-
counter with an advertiser who thought he
had purchased editorial direction Of the paper
IS well as advertising space In it The News
reprinted from New-Yorl paper an article on
the greatness Of New-York which it thought
would be interesting to it's readers. One OF its
largest advertisers wrote calling it to account,
snd saying. among other things;
Dependent. as you are on the people Of Balti-
more would il not be better, matter OF self
rreservatioa-even though you may lack civic
pride eDtirely-to do what you can Tor q city
that. as & matter OF fact owes whatever it may
have Of present greatness TO Its merchants, and
not its newspapers?
We are Baltinoreans We love our city. We
are doing al We can to make the city larger IN
its IDEAS. broader in its conceptions. higher in
tts ideals. We spend money freely along this
lne-you have been gstting good share Of it.
are TO feel that your only interest in Balti-
more is IN its financial contributions 10 you?
AS we see IT, your duty is imperative; what we
and other merchants do Is self-tr1posed.
We think it due that you should give reason
for printing the article referred TO- and will ex-
peet TO hear from you on the subject
The advertiser was not disappointed he did
hear from Mr.. Grasty, though not in the apollo
getic tone that be probably looked for Mr.
Grasty published the letter. and in his COM
ments Cd il read the advertiser 4 lecture on
the function Of newspapers which he did not
hesitate 70 say be judged from the naive inso-
Ience" Of the letter his correspondent would not
understand. The value Of the advertisers bust
ness was frankly acknowledged and gratitude
expressed for bis patronage, but he was square
Iy told that their relation was a business one:
that every dollar spent IL advertising was for
value received. and that there was no intangible
balance due In the shape Of right TO challenge
the policy Of the paper as newspaper In any
particular. except IN the way that any citizen
might challenge it On public grounds. 1.-The
News then declared its principles concerning
the relation OF editor and adTertiser-which are
also the principles Of every other selfrespect-
Ing journal II said:
It IS. of course. fact that the modern news
support II this support could be had only al
the cost Of giving the advertisers voice IN the
editorial conduct Of the paper. the newspaper
business would be essentially DEGRADED Il
would BE an affair Of false sJfetencee. You can
not furnish the public what you profess to en-
oeavor to furnish theu1-the truth--if YOU have
enc ear 70 the news Of the world and the other
Gar 70 the chink Of the dollars in the counting
room Fortunately. IL is not necessary 10 DO
this. newspaper that goes straight on look
ing upon it's intrinsic merits 70 make II q good
advertising medium can leave the advertising TO
take care Of itself When that ceases TO he the
case we propose to drop the newspaper business
and &c into something respectable
Of course the advertisers COMPLAINT was
ridiculous and stupid. Apparently he felt his
importance and was looking for an excuse TO
msze the newspaper bow down TO him The