The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-11-03
MR.. REDM0ND'S DOGGY MAN.

Mk. KEUMONDS BOtE1 MAN.
Interesting information is accumu-
lating rapidly regarding the motives
of those who oppose the bill permitting
the exchange of mileage books for
advertising. The remarkable letter
written by Chairman John W. Red
mond of the Public Service Commits
sion, and printed in the Journal has
excited no little establishment. At a
hearing held by the Railroad Commit
tee ON Tuesday S. Hollister Jackson,
of the Public Service Commission, ad-
mitted that Mr. Redmonds letter was
sent without the knowledge of the 9TH
er members of the commission There
fore it represents the opinion of Mr..
Redmond alone Even more surpris-
ing was the admission that Mr.. Jack
son did not understand that the COM
mission had made a ruling that mil
cages should not be exchanged for
advertising; but Mr. Redmond said in
his letter to Mr. Chaffee: I'VE have
ruled that although our statute does
not in terms prohibit the taking of ad-
vertising in payment for transporta-
ton yet its spirit does that. and so
IL would be illegal for the railroads
to pay for advertising in mileages."
Evidently Mr.. Redmond erred in his
choice of a pronoun.
The opposition to the bill seems to
simmer down practically to one point,
the fear that the operation of the law
Of barter will result in the corrup-
ton of the press by the railroads. AS
has been pointed out the transaction
proposed is merely to permit the ex-
change of mileage book valued at
ten or twenty dollars for a certain
number of inches of advertising at
the published card rate. Both COM
modities have a fixed value and any
variation therefrom will be violation
Of law. The newspaper cannot estab-
fish a fictitious rate for its adverts-
ing space and the railroad cannot
nor is it likely to, sell its mileage at
less than the market price.
Ii the railroads really desired to
"debauch" the press they would not
hesitate to attempt to execute cash
advertising contracts, if advertising
is their special form of temptation
used in such instances. 1t is not very
complimentary to the Vermont news
papers to insinuate that they are
seeking to find a market in which to
Her their influence for sale. 1t is
hardly case OF flattery to assume
that more than any other class in the
community the newspapers must be
shielded from temptation. Possibly a
comparison of records would show
that the spirit and letter of the law
had been violated by lawyers quite
as often as by newspaper men And
vet, the members of the Public Ser
vice Commission, who are so greatly
exercised lest the virtue of the news
paper men shall be susceptible to
railroad bribery are daily exposed to
the temptation of riding on railroad
passes when not in the performance
Of official duties. How fortunate to
possess characters that are tempta-
ton proof and how thoughtful is the
attempt to shield their frail and erring
brethren of the press from the wiles
Of the tempter
The newspaper fraternity of this
State are not altogether unknown to
Nermonters For a good many years
they have been fighting abuses and
championing reforms, 1t will come
as something of a surprise that they
are so much more susceptible to cor
ruption than other men that they cam
not be trusted to take a mileage book
in payment for printing railroad
timetable
No proof is at hand 10 show that
the newspapers are debauched in
States where this form of barter is
permitted. and sensible men know
that such arguments are childish and
absurd, and constitute an unwarrant-
ed reflection upon profession as hon
olable as any in the State
r Redmouc ruling takes from
the newspapers a part of their legit-
innate advertising patronage, because
the railroads will pay in mileage" but
not in money, for the publication OF
timetables. They ask that this OBJ
struction to legitimate trade be re-
moved.
The Journal does not believe that
The people Of Vermont are ready TO
think that almost the entire news
paner press of the state is seeking to
sell its influence for mileage books
end throw in good advertising space
TO boot The application of little
practical New England common sense
S all that is needed to convince any
me seeking light on the subject that