The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1910-02-23
FREEDOM OF PRESS
DEAR TO AMERICANS

Washington. d. c.. Feb. 21.-Thai
freedom OF the press is still dear tc
the hearts of all Americans is eVi
denced by the thousands OF protests
against the proposed Increase in sec
ond class mail rates. These protests
aie coming from all directions even
from far on and isolated Alaska. Ev
cry member Of congress is being snow
ed under by them. The mail of Okla
homa pembers of the house is pretty
much al. criticism Of The atten,p: to
IiaSe newspaper publishers and per
iOdieals pay more postage.
Senator Owen believes that the en-.
tire movement to raise second class
rates car be traced to a coterie OF
men who have been exposed by the
Ioilitant newspapers AMI periodicals
Of the country.
The protests, however, are voiced
by the average citizen in the ordinary
walks Of life which is a sufficient in
dication that they represent the
thought of the masses of the people
Farmers, laboring men, professional
men and business men are alike arous.
ed by the danger that turks in legis.
lation that might have the effect to
throw many publications on the fin
ancial rocks and tend toward the con.
centration of the publication busi-
ness in concerns that have the back
ing of the so-called "capitalistic inter
ests."
The apprehension which exists has
found a responsive chord in congress
and if the proposition to advance the
rates ever had chance in congress
that time has passed and the Okla
homa delegation can be depended up
on to vote solidly against the increase.
Indeed among members of the Okla
homa delegation there never has been
any sentiment in favor of the placing
additional burdens on the publication
of daily and weekly newspapers and
magazines. The plea that the increase
Of rates is necessary to wipe out the
postal deficit has not made hit with
the Oklahoma congressman who be-
lieve that the railroad companies are
receiving exorbitant pay for carrying
the mails and that the express com
panies are being permitted to infringe
upon the governments rights in hand
ling mail below the first class in a
way that absorbs the profits which
should go to wipe out the deficit It
would be an easy matter, the Okla
homa members think, to enact reme-
dial legislation that would take care
Of the deficit without advancing sec
ond class matter.
Nor do members of congress gener-
ally believe that it is fantastic
dream that the capitalistic interests
may be reaching out to control the
press of the country. While it is not
of positive proof there is
a growing and somewhat general be-
lief that it has substantial foundation
in fact.
Publicity policy demands, said
G. d. Carter that in
should be made as cheap
as possible. The effort now being
made to raise second class rates
largely eminates from the trusts and
other big corporations that do not
want the light of publicity to shine
in on their affairs. If it succeeds the
little periodicals viii be crowded out
and fear that the time will come
when the avenues of publicity in this
country will be controlled by a gigan-
tic combination with some ]. Pierpont
Morgan at it's head The little home
paper is one of the bulwarks of the ma
ton and any legislation that would
put unnecessary burdens and restric-
tions on its publication and circula-
lion would be essentially bad"