Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-02-21

and our own departed and revered nestor
Of journalism taught us to defy"
r. o. Bdgecombe. being totally blind,
asked his wife to read his paper on Pro
posed Postal Law Changes" Mr.. Edge
combe took up the cudgel in Mr.. Madden's
behalf. characterizing him as more the
creature Of circumstances, one being the
theory Of whole Postoffice Department that
OF all other branches OF the mail service
the second-class service is losing money.
He cited that out OF forty cases appealed
TO the supreme court Madden had been
sustained in all but one OF these There
is no reason why publications should not
pay a reasonable price for service per
formed" he said.
Many Charges Undeserved.
''Madden's idea is to throw all reading
matter into one class at the rate Of
cents per pound. think many OF the
charges made against Madden are unde-
served"
Mr.. Bushnell declared that the news
I paper publishers had been singled out by
Mr. Madden. who. the speaker said. had
never had a minutes experience as pub
Usher. As the result OF Mr.. Madden's
ideas. should they become effective. Il was
explained that w. H. Smiths paper at
Seward, for instance. would necessitate
| monthly postal bill OF SIS. as against s. as
! now c. j. Bowiby of Crete said he thought
Madden should be removed from ONCE.
! CONGRESSMAN @. NJ Hitchcock was called
( on and advised against any personal at
tack on Mr. Madden, as such action, In his
! Judgment. would bring the Nebraska ed
| itors I'D against the big stick" at Wash
ington and would not secure desired re-
| suits. Mr.. Hitchcock said the editors
should be mindful Of the fact that the
postof1ce had grown to the largest de-
partment Of the country and, with the ex-
ception of Canada, the press of this coun'
| try receives more liberal treatment from
the government than in any other country
Great Big Job to Perform.
1.-THE admittance Of 5000 publications e
the mails involves great responsibilities II
performing his duties Mr.. Madden ma!
make a few mistakes, but he has been In
strumental in working numerous reforms
He has locked horns with some OF tn
largest publishing firms in the country ant
is not singing out any obscure publishe
as an object for attack. Tons OF stun, de
, trimental to Nebraska publishers, hav
been excluded from the mails through tn
, instrumentalities Of Mr. Madden. Amy or
; ganization demanding Mr. Madden's retire
ment should first show that he has will
fully been arbitrary or negligent. Ne
! braslka publishers should, however, joii
! with those of other states in requesting
, that the old newspaper rates be maintained
: I feel sure that congress will assume n
/ hostile attitude toward the press and tina
! no censorship will be established to sa
: how much advertising matter publishe
must carry or what color of ink he shal
: use to be admitted to second class rates.
Mr.. Hitchcock said.
Edgar Howard of same Mind.
! Edgar Howard thought the editors shoult
! defend Mr.. Madden's good qualities with a
! much warmth as they criticise his short
comings.
Miss Predergast sang an original song
"Livona," composed by J. +. Bixby. son o
Doc Bixby of Lincoln. This song, sung 70
7 the first time in public Tuesday morning
! was much appreciated.
' The editors and wives will be guests o
the local committee at the Orpheum thi
evening
The meeting of the state editors vii
' close this afternoon with election of of
hcers papers by A. w. Ladd on Twenty
seven Years in One ONCE" A. L. Gale Of
5 city Daily and Country Weekly" Mis-
4 Rose Hudspeth on "A Womans Editor
7 Experience" and an address by Alfre
Darlow. general advertising agent for tn
s Union Pacific. on Railroad Advertising
the Railroad View