The Frankfort roundabout., 1908-02-15

I. 4 ming 10 be- ID as
o. "a iuch force a. ty OF
circular. Quality rests the
character Of the publication ~LG lis
purposes, and the respect wi h whic.s
it is regarded by its reaGe.s. The
reader does net and can not have re-
spect for the publication which is
thrust upon him as an unwelcome
guest or which comes to him as a
beggar or as a job-lot trader. Like
any other legitimate business, it
should have its price for its wares.
If the reader thinks il worth the price
and elects to patronize it fer its
reading matter and it's purpose o.
public educa ion and utility, he should
pay for it. If he does not so value
it, he should be protected from impo-
sition.
This is exactly what the Postmaster
General proposes to- bring about
nothing more He rules that the news
paper, in order 20 have the benefits
of the cheaper postal rates design ed
to encourage legitimate dissemination
Of desirable reading matter, shall have
bona fide subscription lists. He ex-
plains that this means only that there
mus. be a contract between the pub
Usher and the subscriber-an agree
ment upon the part of one that he
wants the publication sent to his ad
dress at the regular price, and upon
the part of the oher that it shall be
sent for that price. And that is the
only legitimate bases upon which the
business may be transacted--I1e only
basis upon which publisher or reader
should consent to do business.
The effec, of the ruling will be to
place the business of publishing a news
paper upon the sound basis which it
should always have nad, and the legiti-
mate publisher has nothing to fear
The ruling chat names upon a list
which have been sent for more than a
year without payment are to be con-
sidered dead" is a proper one If the
/ reader is not willing to settle in some
form for his newspaper after a year
OF grace, it is eviden mat ne should
be dropped. It is simple mat er OF
justice to both publisher and reader
that neither may be imposed upon.
That the ruling will play havoc with
cheap John publications ssued only
for advertising purposes is certain,
and mos, desirable. They have long
been a nuisance to the postal depart
ment, to legitimate publishers, and
to the people. Their purpose is not
ore of education, and tneir end is not
one OF elevation or Advancement.
They ar for personal gain solely
They have no desire to build up a
community or aid the public Their
one air is to foist advertising matter
TOO often of i very questionable chaG.
acter-upon the people and to reap
harvest of dollars for their promo
ters. Such publications do not come
within The intent of the law designed |
10 promote education and civilization,
to not proceed upon legitimate busi-
ness principles, and are not entitled |
to second-class postal rates. But
these publica ions have grown rich /
ard powerful and they will use all
their mighty influence TO defeat the |
purposes of the Postmaster General.
They have already begun their fight |
Tney are even attempting 70 invoke
the aid of legi innate publishers. Many
country newspapers have unwillingly
assisted these journalistic harpies, and
are now being hourly besought to give
further aid 10 them. They should
be left to their fate. No publisher
OF legitimate newspaper can afford
20 help chem out of their dilemma by
clubbing with them, or even by giving
them away to his. readers They have
been and are now menact to country
journalism. They only service to
cheaper the publication which uses
them.
Mr.. A. w. Lawshe, the Third Assist. |
ant Postmaster-General, who has
charge of his department of the post. I
II service, was for twenty years the S
'ublisher Of a country newspaper, and /
ie declares that he is the true friend X
# legitimate publishers and is striy C
ng to protect their every interest. He h
lssures them that they shall be given
very consideration in the application c
# the ruling and every liberty toll h