Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-06-06
THE ETHICS or PAPER MAKING.

G1HE THIS 1t has been perhaps generally suspect
/ ed by the readers Of the World that It's editor
III has views Of his own regarding the manner
- IN which newspaper should be 'nducted
aud the obligations resting on those connected with
s management Those views have been presented
from time to time but more earnest effort has been
made to give thom practical demonstration.
In the following editorial from the Oklahoma city
Times may be read those things the world has con-
tended for-s contendng for The Times has recently
changed hands and IN recognizing instantly that
newspaper succeed only with and through the
confidence Of the public the management shows
ts experience and that It recognizes what has
been the matter with the Times heretofore. The sum
total OF newspaper wisdom is written into the Times
editorials
In the conduct OF the modern metropolitan news
paper there is growing distinction between what is
dcnomlnatcd commorclolism and higher journalism
Tho former may be defined conducting paper
purely for the money that Is In 1t regardless Of every
thing else It is the domination OF the counting room
the subscranco Of all questions OF policy and public
interest to the one thing the dollar with such a
paper there is only one question be considered
any matter and that s win 1t pay2
Such paper is always weak in It's editorial coll
umus II viii not advocate any reform public
movement uuul it has figured out whether there is
any money in It this paper It has no convictions
tscr patron. It Is all things to all Very
often string OF these purely commercial imporsona
newspapers viii be owned by big corporation and the
editorials for the whole string win be written by one
person and at time and sent out to the individual
papers
Sometimes the commercial newspaper finds It best
to entirely abolish the editorial columns
sary and dangerous to profits. In that the $40
week reporter gives editorial cooring to his local
11
good journalism This coorng OF news to suit the
sympathes Of the writer the interest Of the paper
neakng way OF getting influence. It generally
stop short Of the absolute dsortng Of facts
and entirely fasfying the
The higher class OF journals viii permit no re-
porter express his feelings sympathles opinions
in narratng the facts, leaving those points to be
brought out II at ALL by the editorial writer.
Commerciasm In journalism sells its influence to
the highest bidder Not always perhaps by receiving
tho real cash in direct way but by rebates, gifts
advertising patronage in such indirect way
Rarely does a really commercialIzed newspaper
make a great and when 1t does 1t is in the
absence Of higher grade paper for competitor, for
no corporation, gang OF men, can make great
newspapcr-ony the confidence Of the people can
build up such journal.
He IA a shorts sighted publisher who win for few
thousand dollars lend his newspaper TO anything
against public interest The people II he viii truly
serve them with his publication, viii in time give him
in honest returns thousands every year!
The publisher who panders to bad men, bad
passions, immortality may for a time find a profit
but only for n very short time. lie build
up great and profitable newspaper on such lines
There are dozens Of metropolitan journals that could
be called by name that have become great or
rich because the public know they owned
trolled by railroad or "A gang of contractors,
clique Of politicians
We all name newspapers that may be depended
upon to excuse the violence OF mob of strikers.
others that always may be expected to defend the
avarcious Interests" but such papers will be
found great or profitable property
Herein lies the safety Of the American people from
venal corrupt press The press is dependent for
prosperity the people and 1t is simple truth that
the great public will not support paper that does
not stand for the right and for the best interests of
the people and for things moral and decent!
-.-
The Metropolitan Street Railway Of Kansas city