La Junta tribune., 1909-09-18
|, HE paper that would not take
off Its hat to the first page
OF last weeks La Junta Tri-

VI lSSt week La Junta 1rl-
- bune. IL either ignorant OF
an artistic production or too jealous
to acknowledge display of gray
matter when put forth by con-
temporary. Tribune.
This very kind and much appreciat-
ed compliment of our esteemed broth
er in newspaperdom will serve as a
text for little disquisition on the
subject OF advertisements on the first
page. For long time we have been
trying to accumulate enough nerve
to sweep all advertisements off the
first page. for we knew that 1t would
work to the finer appearance OF the
paper. Every advertiser in the pa
per wants space on the first page,
where none OF them should be, pro-
viding the publisher takes any pride
In the appearance of this sheet We
finally succeeded In screwing our
courage up to the sticking point and
eliminated all advertisements from
the first page. II all advertisers are
treated alike there will be no hardship
In this action. except 10 those who
who have heretofore enjoyed this
preferred position, and in the future
all OF our advertisers will be on an
equal footing. No ads will be placed
on the first page Mt any price.
Our decision to eliminate advertis-
ments from the first page was ac-
celebrated by roast in the Sep
tember issue of the American Printer.
of New York. one of the leading
trade journals of the country, In
which the first page of the Tribune
was reproduced In miniature, with
four OF the six columns given to
the advertiser, and held up as a
horrible example Of the practice Of
marring the appearance Of the pap
er by printing advertisements on the
first page. In July. we received .
letter from John Clyde Oswald, edi.
tor OF the American Printer, In which
he notified us that he was going to
reproduce the front page Of the Tri-
bune for the purpose OF talking
about the question of printing alyer-
tisements on the first page. He
wanted us TO give utterance to some
OF our views defending their pres
AN m NJ hn ha
letter that Mr. Oswald looked for
never came. With the front page
OF the Tribune. reproduced In mini
ature In the center OF one OF the
pages OF the September issue of the
American Printer. as text. and al
so horrible example. the editor
writes In part as follows:
Far be It from the writer to de-
cry the presence OF advertising In a
newspaper; but 1t has its place aud
that place is not where the reader
looks expecting to find news matter
Al his leisure. later on. he may and
undoubtedly will. read the advertis-
ments; but they are good enough to
keep. Again. he doesn't buy the
paper for the advertising-a, least We
should have said he doesn't know II:
and his will and intent is to get pos.
session OF the news. and AZ soon as
may be. The beauty OF the front
page demands that such displays as
advertising necesitates be kept for
inside. or other pages. We think
none will gainsay this statement.
'Of course there are two sides TO
this. as to all questions; and you who
take exception to what IL here writ
ten promptly remark that II does
pay to sell the space there. especi.
ally II An extra price Is asked for
position. Response to this Is an
assertion that most country pub.
fishers do not sell front page space
for more money: and In any event.
and according to experience M re-
ported. the advertisers contract isn't
lost because he Ii refused front page
columns.
III the publisher will stand up firm
ly 10 his decision against mArrinE the
first page space. and denying TO his
reader certain rights belonging 10
him o. . reader. tho advertiser will
readily fall into the rulc and finally
Join IN praise Of the decision. II al
are treated alike there ls no hardship
In this action"
There II nothing that can be- said
10 controvert the arguments put W
by the editor Of tho American Print.
er. They are gospel truths every
word. The editor Of the Americas
Printer IL evidently ~ much pleased
~ we are over the innovation on the
Tribune. A letter received this weck
- av.. 0f hava 9sanA paS~4vaS a - n.