The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1907-08-17
AGAINST new YORK papers
ACTION BY GOVERNMENT
Possibility That They Have
Been Violating Interstate
Commerce Rules.

that the next move Of the administra-
ton in the direction of federal control
of industries will bear directly upon
the newspapers published in this town.
1t is we'll known that the chief mag
istrate has been. dissatisfied with the
conduct of seVsfR of them for some
time. The Evening Post, peevish still
despite the highly developed consci-
entiousness of Oswald Garrison Viii
lard and the charming urbanity Of
Rollo Ogden, was, as might have been
anticipated, the first to offend, but q
very close second, in the few intervals
not given to scientific analysis Of the
moral expansion of bowwowing rail-
way president, was William Make
peace Laffan's Sun. Then, at about
the beginning of dullness in the adj
vertising season, the Ochs-Miller-
Reick Times INDUCED in many obnoxi-
GUS reflections, After { while even
James Gordon Bennett began to cable
double-leaded peeps to the Herald,
and finally Mr.. Ralph reluctantly
yielded to the earnest solicitations of
the intermittently retiring Joseph
Pulitzer, and indicated a sense Of re-
sentiment at interference with the.
Worlds general direction Of the uni
verse.
Such manifestations were naturally
displeasing to the President from
their commencement but with charac-
teristic patience he withheld the
heavy hand in the hope that the great
worldly editors might be led by the
gentle ministrations of silas McBee IN
the Churchman to perceive the error
Of their ways and duly repent. But
we are informed, the President has
now become convinced that sile can
not deliver the goods, and, more in
sorrow than In anger, he has determ-
ined to adopt more drastic measures.
The first suggestion said to have
emanated from the Interstate COM
merce commission, aided and abetted
by Jacob Riis, was to attack the octo-
pal Associated Press as monopolistic,
by piteous appeals from Newport to
leave undisturbed Its most shining
ornament in the person of Melville e.
Stone ultimately touched the heart
that has been cruelty supposed to
know no brother, and another method
was demanded. Happily, an assist
ant encouragement had a few min
utes to spare, and with the usual delft
ness and ease presented the solution
which is now receiving favorable con
sideration.
The chief points In the Indictment
we understand to be: (1) That the
newspapers, like the railways, are ser
wants of the public, and therefore
properly subject to the governmental
regulation; (2) that this fact need not
be established by evidence, since the
Journals themselves admit and ever
Ibrag Of III; (3y that they circulate in
New Jersey, Connecticut and other
commemorative, and consequently fail
within the provisions of the useful in.
terstate commerce act; ca that they
make no public reports of their bust.
ness, and widows and orphans desir.
Gus of investing in their shares are
unable to acquire information t.
which clearly they are entitled; (5)
that In several instances, stock has
been issued for good WILL or, speak.
ling plainly, shamelessy Watered; co
that great abuses have arisen in con
Injection with advertising rates, the
ldowntrodden servant girl being com
Ipelled to pay more per agate line thar
the opulent merchant, more favorable
terms invariably being granted to the
larger advertiser; and CD that in H..
l933,210 specific instances rebates have
been granted to customers.
The assistant attorney general Il
Isaid to have figured out that the fines
that can be imposed for these out.
Irageous offences and clear violations
of the law amount to $86,S9S,712,.
206.29. OF the departments ability tC
Iobtain the imposition of these fines
the assistant attorney general has ne
ldoubt whatever. The president also
is said to have personally confirmed
the law and the Interpretation thereof
The only difficulty lies in the applica
Ition. Once 1t was feared that thu
whole plan would have to be aband
oned on account of the Tribune
Whose sphere of usefulness. it wa!
unprecedented, would be seriously re
strieted by snatching 500 odd millions
from its annual net revenue Thu
versatile assistant attorney general
however, is said to have rendered al
opinion that the Tribune is eXemp
because of its removal from the realm
Of journalism to that of diplomacy
and is, therefore, in no sense pub
lie servant. The president, it is un
derstood, comedies only to the extern
of the service not now rendered, bu
this Is considered sufficient by the as
sistant attorney general, and conse
quently may for the present be con
lsidered a fixed principle in law Doub
however, is expressed regarding thu
status of Henry Loyal Stoddard'
faithful Evening Mail DIR. Sleicher'
Jasperian Leslie's, DR.. Mabie's CHART
able Outlook and DR.. Shaw's too
previous Review of Reviews. Thu
assistant attorney general is nov
hunting loopholes for them.
Opinion in the inner cabinet re
Ispecing penalties is said to be divid
ed. Secretary Straus is convinced tina
all purposes would be served by con