The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-05-03
CITY OF CLEAN
NEWSPAPERS
Campaign For That Happy End Is
Started in Detroit BY the
Adcraft Club.

The centenary OF the founding of
. the nrst Michigan newspaper Will be
celebrated In Detroit on June s. 1909.
II movement now under way bears
It's hoped-for result, this centennial
occasion, in addition To other striking
features. will see all the dailies OF DE.
troit In accord with The Times In the
matter OF clean advertising.
That will be a centenary exhibit
worth while--the pleasing demonstra
ton that In hundred years the on.
tire daily press OF Detroit has attained
unto decency in It's advertising de-
partments.
For several years now The Times
has battled alone for the elimination
Of filth and frauds from its advertis.
Ing columns. or the remaining three
dailies OF Detroit the News and Free
Press have been the ATHEIST in this re-
spect, and the most conscienceloss
snare to the feet OF trustful readers.
At one time the Journal took high
ground In this cause, cleaning up its
own columns and carrying on Wig
orous campaign for more rigorous leg
islation against the quacks who I'LL
newspapers with their nasty announce.
-
has opened its columns again to this
class of advertising. although II does
not run the larger intsallments OF
the abominable stuff that pollutes the
pages OF the two older papers.
But II makes no discrimination in
Investment and promotion advertise
ments.
AS with the News and Free Press,
everything 10 acceptable that brings in
the money.
Among weekly papers The Times
Tight for honesty and decency I'm ad.
vertising has inspired hearty support.
The Saturday Night has been a stout
advocate OF this reform In the two
years 1t has been In the field The
Michigan Presbyterian has added its
voice to the cause The Journal of the
Michigan State Medical society has
printed pointed editorials on the sub.
Ject and has been unsparing in its
criticism of the offending older papers
Of the city
The Times has printed commenda-
lions OF its policy from merchants,
clergymen. educators and others by the
pagefull. But IL has remained for the
Adcraft club TO take the first step in
the direction OF making public senti.
ment effective. AT its last two Satur
day luncheons strong addresses were
given by G A. Brownell, the we'll
known advertising agent, and Frank
u. Taylor, president OF the Elliott-Tay-
lor-Woolfenden Co. in vigorous disap
prevail OF the offensive matter admitted
. regularly to the pages OF majority
Of Detroit's dailies, TO the discredit
Of the press and the impairment of adj
vertising generally.
Stirred by these expressions from
men who are handling advertising on
a large scale. the Adcrafters voted To
appoint a committee TO wait upon the
publishers with the hope OF persuad-
ins them that newspaper usage can no
longer be relied upon to sanction such
a fragrant offense against decency. An
appeal of this sort recently had the
effect OF prompting John r. Mclean
to renovate the columns OF the Gin
cinnati Enquirer.
william X. Orr. president or the
Adcraft club, who has the appointment
of the committee. told The Times to-
day that his selections would be an
nounced in the near future.
at am giving the matter the most
careful consideration" said Mr.. Orr.
"as realize the mission is an Inn
portant and delicate one. ] think n
friendly Intervention OF this nature
should be in the hands OF men who by
reason OF their public spirit and larg
investment in newspaper space have
reasonable warrant for urging upon
the newspapers q reform that Is bound
tn rebound to their own advantage as
well as that OF their readers and adj
uarfioars ~