The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-12-18
THE COMIC SUPPLEMENT-.


Students of pedagogy and newspaper
publishers Will note with interest the
conclusion of Miss Pollock in her talk
to the school principals on the comic
supplement Of the Sunday newspaper.
In some eastern cities. Boston particu-
larly. the subject has been discussed
with as much fervor and feeling as if it
involved the fate of the nation. Very
often it has been condemned, and one
Boston publisher abandoned that fea-
ture. The grounds of criticism have
been the triviality of the matter. the
theory that such jokes as are portrayed
tend to demOralize the child and the
notion that constant interest in the
supplement is injurious to the child's
conception of art.
Much of the criticism has been on a
plane with the queer objection to fairy
tales and the Santa Claus myth. We
believe Boston was the original home
of the idea that fairy tale is immoral.
because it is based on an mtruth. and
that II Is wrong TO tell children there
Is a Kris Kringle, because there is none.
There can be no arguing with inteIlects
that hold to these theories of child life
and lore, because the mind that cannot
sec good influence in the myth of the
Christmas spirit or that can believe
Hans Christian Andersons tales hear
an influence for wrong is beyond hope
belonging in the same age with those
good but misguided souls who de-
stroyed the magnificent art collections
and literature of ancient Rome for fear
some soul might be depraved by it.
As TO the influence of the comic sup
Piement. observant publishers have
Jailed to discover any injurious effects
from its publication. The drawing is
not exactly up to the standard OF an
cid master. nor is the mechanical ex-
eeetion in the de luxe class. It's chief
purpose originally was to furnish in
nocent amusement to the little ones
who could not read text: and while its
humor is sometimes broad and the
practical jokes portrayed are often Of
homespnn type, it would take a
hypercritical mind 10 discover wherein
the y0ungster who laughs and chuclxlas
AT the adventures of Maud or Happv
hooiigan or Gloomy Gus could possi-
bly, be harmed.
In this conclusion Miss Pollock and
the principals who agreed with her
confirm the Judgment of the newspaper
publishers whose business it is to watch
the effect OF any special feature. The
introduction Of the color press in news
papers is of comparatively recent date
and its limitations preclude the higher
class of illustration in colors as vet.
out IN the evolution now taking place
IL IS likely that the standard of the
comic supplement viii be raised lust
as the famous comic weeklies have nro-
crossed beyond the stage they held in
the days of the old Puck and Ju5ee
The comic supplement of today gives
rise TO many good laugh, it adds cheer
TO the household. it has contributed
much to che gaiety of the nation and
its success. like its permanence. Is. basad
on the American enjoyment of a auaint
humor that Eliminates without harm
ms Not only does it amuse the Young
s'ers; It tiekles the fancy of the elders.
as anyone can see by watching tn, old
boys who stop 10 see Maud and Hannv
in The Herald's front window on sat
urdays ana Sundays. That is why !,
has come to stay. subject to such i'm
provements as viii inevitably follow in
time
< x X
Mr. Weleh's discussion of the moving
picture also furnished good material.
he believes rightly that the moving
picture has iis place. and can be made
an influence for good if the subjects
portrayed are properly limited. 1t is
worth while 10 make the rounds OF
these shows 10 study the crowds and
the psychology of varying scenes. We
believe Mr.. Welch is right in his sus-
gestion thai some authority ought To
censor the productions. not because the
managers Of the show would deliberate
ly violate the oanons Of morality and
good taste. but because some of them
'aek judgment as to what is proper.