Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-02-12

ers he felt little shy about them at
first; but, he added:
mot one got me wrong, not once
was I misrepresented Often men
toned things In confidence, and in no
instance was that confidence betray-
ed The reporters whom / met in the
United States treated me with deli
cacy and afforded me feeling or
sense Of fair play, which | admire and
appreciate"
1t Is customary at an anniversary
like this to endeavor to outline the
policy OF the future as well as review
the past. We have set aside one ses-
sion for the retrospection of twenty,
five successful years, and We would
like, at other sessions, to discuss
ways and means for Strengthening
and perpetuating the next decade OF
this Association. It is self-eyiden.
that conditions today are entirely
different from those OF former years,
when the railroads were anxious for
advertisement and new sections of
country were clamoring for press rep
resentatives to give publicity to their
undeve1oped resources. Large num-
bers could be readily induced to take
the trip and attend conventions on ac-
count of advantages derived. Now,
however, every delegate buys his
ticket and pays his individual exper-
SEES as any other private citizen. He
derives no financial advantages by
Joining the party. and, frequently,
finds the date inopportune. We de-
that the convention must henceforth
be the drawing card. Formerly it was
convention, plus innumerable travel
ing advantages. We do not mean to
undervalue the trip, for we regard il
as a great feature, since nothing so
broadens and educates as travel and
| many of us could never have seen our
country under such favorable circum-
stances except through the medium of
this Association; but. in our opinion,
the trip should only be an incident,
the conference the real object
Our Constitution says: "The object
of this Association is the advancement
of the material interests. and the ex-
| tension of the social relations of the
editors and publishers Of the United
States" This declaration is far
| reaching and it gives the Association
| ample room TO expand. AS we under
stand it the National Editorial Assoc
citation Is the representative body of
| the local and press associations. of our
respective states. 1t would seem,
| therefore, as delegates we should
come here not only for our own benz
fit, but for the mutual benefit of all
those whom we represent. Many
| members of our state organization are
not privileged to attend the National
conventions. To them we should be
able to carry back valuable Informal
ton. With this end in view, and be-
cause this meeting is a sort of Look
ing-Backwards." we would like to re-
yive interest in what was suggested
some years ago by President Stephens
| in his able address in Chicago, dis
cussed at intervals but never fully
carried out. The recommendations
made by President Stephens, briefly
stated, were:
The establishment of National head
quarters inaugurated and maintained
! by Incorporation and subscription.
The publication of National direc-
tory.
The solution OF the much vexel
question of foreign advertising.
The purchase of material for all
members of the Association.
In addition to the above we would
recommend that each State organiza-
ton and press association in the Uni
| ted States be requested to become af-
| filiated with the National Editorial As
ISOLATION in order that the project may
have the united support of all kindred
associations. There are some States
| which have not had representation in
this association for years, and others
have lately apparently withdrawn
their membership. An effort should
be made to enlist every local press
dSSOCldtlOH Ill tht COuIilNs his WOuil
not only greatly augment the member
ship but would give all business pro
| jects much stronger support.
We are very favorably impressed
with the Importance of establishing
headquarters in some city. preferably
| Washington, on account of the many
important matters that would natur-
ally crystalline there.
In addition TO the work already out
| lined an important matter to every
! publisher could be assigned to the
headquarters, which is the keeping of
record of financial standing of all
advertisers. thus protecting the pub
Usher from the numerous dead-beats
now infesting the advertising field.
! There are very few of us who do not
now pay at least $50 per year for the
privilege of belonging to mercantile
agency from which we procure the
rating of all advertisers, and secure