The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1908-03-12
Shop Talk.

Aren't the recent ruling of the Post
Office Department forbidding the
inailin9-at second-class rates-oi
any weekly newspaper after April 1st
on which the subscription is year
or more behind unless the postage is
paid at the rate of one cent for each
such copy so mailed by the publisher,
the Monroe Journal SAYS this:
A newspaper and the subscribers who
read it from year to year stand in very
intimate relations to each other. They
ought to be able to have little talk
with each other occasionally on business
matters without misunderstanding each
other. You feel very close to the editor
whose words you read week by week,
year in and year out. We know this
both from otfr own experience, from what
others have told US, and from the fact
that unless you did have some such feel
ing, coupled with respect, you would not
continue in the relation of subscriber.
Presuming, therefore, that our subscri-
bers will take what we have to say at
its face value. we want to speak few
words in candor.
You have noticed from time to time
the statement that after April the LIST
the Postotfice Department will not de-
liver papers to subscribers who are one
year in arrears with their subscriptions.
Have you stopped to think why this
rule has been made? 1t is no mere whim
of the Department, but dire necessity,
made so by the good Of the public as
well as by the needs OF the Department.
Why are you able to buy a paper like
the Journal and have it delivered at
e. <tf>
small sum of one dollar? One reason is
you anything for carrying it to you.
so, that is if you live in the county in
which the paper is published If you
live out of the county the Government
charges at the rate of one cent a pound
for carrying the paper to you. Now.
why does the Government do this? Be-
cause it considers that the distribution
OF good newspapers and periodicals is
necessary to the welfare and happiness of
the people and that it is right for the
Government to aid in distributing these
as cheaply as possible so that they will
be within the reach of as many people as
possible.
Now, here is the point: Under this
ruling a great many worthless publica-
lions have sprung up that serve no use
full purpose but are printed and distrib-
uted for private gain. Most Of them are
no good. the people do not subscribe for
them, and in many cases do not want
them in their homes. Yet if your name
ever gets in the hands of one OF these
sheets they will be sent to you forever
whether you refuse to take them or not.
The publishers do not expect you to
pay. All they want is to get them into
your hands for some Interior purpose.
Sometimes that purpose is to preach So
cialism. anarchy, or some other II ia
rious doctrine. Most often, however,
the publishers expect to make money,
and do make millions out Of the fraudu-
lent schemes which they advertise and
expect you to bite at. These advertisers
can't get in reputable papers that the
people subscribe for and pay for year by
year Now the mass Of this literature
has grown so great that it is costing the
Government millions of dollars to carry
it and it is swapping the mail service.
Therefore a ruling must be made that
| will shut these out and still letlegitimate
papers 90 to the people free or at a low
rate. This ruling, requiring that no
! papers except those whose readers sub
scribe for and pay for them will be sent
is the only way the Department can get
! rid of the evil SO you see the reason
for the ruling The Government thinks
that if you want a paper you want il
bad enough to pay for it within the
| year in which it is sent. 1t is not de-
| sire of the Department to regulate your
business or mine, but merely to protect
itself. And it will not be hardship on
any honest man.
In the light OF the above we want tc
make direct and personal statement
Will you look on your label and see il
your name is one of these? And if it is
renew at once? 1t will help US not only
. to keep our books in shape to meet the
requirements, but will help us materially
in making the paper better and help you
i enjoy it more