The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-17
BEER, OR NOT TO Beer"
Does Public Approve or Condemn the
Posters?

Inc topeka capital this morning In
abiding to this papers criticism of
the local theatrical management in
Haunting beer advertisements on the
Topeka bill boards, says in a reference
to the State journal, which has fallen
out with the Crawfords, has fallen
out with the Crawfords a number of
times, but we note the Crawfords are
still in business"
Does the Capital mean by this that
it endorses the action of the Craw
fords in displaying the beer posters
on their boards?
1t is true that this paper has op-
posed the Crawfords in a number of
things and the Crawfords have, in the
present instance, as in the past, with
drawn their advertising. They must
keep withdrawing 1T, If they expect by
inserting their advertisements in news
papers. so far this paper is con-
cerned, to control the opinions of
papers they favor on matters affecting
their interests, as the beer advertising
seems to affect them.
This paper fell out with the Craw-
lords when they continued to use a
dangerous upstairs room for theatrical
purpose jeopardizing the lives of all
who attended, and at the same time
refused themselves, or refused to per-
init anyone else, to open a good and
safe theater, the Grand opera house in
this city.
Mr.. Crawford finally abandoned the
upstairs theater with its inadequate
exits, turned it into a creditable Office
and store building and opened the
Grand and two other theaters, all safe
and on the ground floor.
Mr.. Crawford Is to be commended for
doing these things and the State Jour-
nal did so commend him. 1t does not
know whether or not it will have
future opportunity to commend him on
withdrawing beer and whisky advertis-
ing from his billboards or not. Mr..
Crawford is tenacious of his opinions.
We are willing to concede him the opin
ion that he has perfect right, under
the law, to publish beer and whisky
advertising on the streets of Topeka,
wherein the sale of liquors is prohibit
ed. We do not expect to refuse to
patronize the Grand opera house when
there is good show on simply because
he does not advertise with the great
medium of publicity, read by nearly
all the good people of Topeka. If Mr..
Crawford chooses to ignore the State
Journal readers. all right Both SON
Germs seem to have prospered in the
past twenty years without continuance
OF mutual patronage.
We all naturally respect, and defer to
large extent to, public sentiment,
as the people in the main are usually
right. If as the Capital would have it's
readers infer. by it's reference above,
the prevailing sentiment of this COM
munity of anti-saloons is for the
Crawford beer billboard posters, then
we must bow to the will of the ma
jority and Crawford-if as appears to
be the case the sentiment, because it
is not a matter of law, is against the
beer business publicity, we do not have
to bow to Crawford and those who hold
to his opinion on the question.
The Fourth Estate" a newspaper
publication. of New York in its issue
of Saturday, August 18th, says:
at is frequently charged" added
MIR. Wiley, that newspapers are infiu-
enced in the conduct of their public
ations by the business office or by adj
vertising considerations.
There is very little basis for this
criticism. On the whole, the news
papers of the country are self-respect-
ing and do not attempt to deceive
their readers.
Mr.. Wiley is publisher of the New
York Time.
"In an address last year Don c.
Seitz, business manager of the New |
York World. said:
Some advertisers assume to believe |
that because they contribute to the |
revenues of newspapers by using their |
advertising columns they are thereby |
justified in attempting to dictate their !
policy Their number, however, is |
limited; their efforts in this direction |
are rarely successful.
mo newspaper which permits adj |
vertisers to affect its conduct can long |
maintain the confidence of its read |
ers. That newspaper soon loses in |
and this loss falls upon |
the advertiser.
There is certain spirit that vi |
brates through all newspaper offices |
of any account; the feeling that the |
paper must stand we'll; that it has a |
certain public duty to perform; that. |
after all, it is the voice of the people; |
that people look to it for their daily in |
formation; that they must get this |
news as accurately as one or two pair |
of ewes can see it for many pairs of |
ewes, and that nothing must be print |
ed that is knowingly wrong or mali |
ciously biased"