The Detroit times., 1911-12-04
PASTOR SHIPPEN LASHES
LOW MORAL SHEETS"
tcontinued from Page One.J

the quack and the shyster Profes-
sional efficiency. too. We demand.
Boys may sell but not make newspa-
pers irresponsible youths for re
porters are intolerable. The news
gatherers must be able TO discriminate
between the essential and the non
essential, between the Importance of
a national revolution and prize fight.
and above all they must be held TO
accuracy
When we see thing in the paper
We must have some assurance that IL
is true, not slovenly half-truth or
positive misrepresentation. Again.
Journalism. like other professions,
must be free from mereenary mo-
tives. A merchant may properly sell
what people want but opinions, con-
victions. truth-theo journalists
wares-are not matter for bargain
and sale. A merchant may legitimate
ly sell cheap shoes. but cheap editor
ials are difficult matter The jour.
nalist III be be true 10 professional
standards. can offer only his best
only the highest quality OF goods He
is physician who prescribes what he
thinks is right not mere cook to
consult the taste OF patrons.
A Sweeping Question.
Now the question arises, are the
daily papers OF the country measur-
ing up 10 these professional stan
dards? Are they true organs OF opin-
ion and truthful retailers of news?
Or 6ie they panderers TO evil ap-
petites and hawkers of purchasable
opinions? A sweeping question. In
many city may be found a paper
perhaps papers. that have not bowed
the knee to Baal. that have not com
promised with the advertiser or de
bauched the public taste. In Detroit,
for example. We have daily paper
which is taking a noble stand for
clean journalism, which Is maintain
ing a Sh standard of civic independ-
ence. But the country over, general
ly speaking. has witnessed the de-
gradation OF journalism through its
commercialization Bishop Williams.
fearless leader that he Is. has de-
nounced yellow journalism as Il de-
serves. pointing out In his open let
ter. how much moral contamination
is chargeable to some OF the Detroit
papers. One of these papers defend
ing its report of mal-odorous divorce
scandal says Publicity is the foe OF
disease Yes, of physical disease but
not OF moral disease. Publicity means
the spreading of infection. We con-
denim pictures of crime. why not de-
scriptions of crime? The law of sug-
gestion is well established. Howells'
story Is to the point. Johnny said
the mother. L am shocked. I do be-
lieye you are teaching that parrot TO
swear No, mother. answers the
! cuiIeful Johnny, I am only teaching
\ hir the words he mustn't use So
these papers are teaching the impress
sionable the things they mustn't do.
i The horrible example as a warn
ing belongs 10 the dark ages OF
pedagogy. and editors are incompetent
II they do not know It,
Points Out the Remedy.
4 The first. the chief responsibility
for yellow journalism rests with the
newspaper proprietor But the public
! has also its responsibility In the case.
Public opinion can put out of commits
sion the low moral sheets which soil
the name OF our city. Keep them out
OF our homes Refuse TO buy them un-
der all circumstances. But more than
"
iZe them
/ Hugh Chalmers has taken 2 stand
which is bound TO have wide influence
lin refusing 10 allow his advertise
ments TO appear on the same page
f, with patent medicine and other fake
advertising matter All praise for
such leadership. But would IL be
quixotic TO advertise solely in papers
! free from yellow taint? II might In
volve financial sacrifice. possibly not
~ any rate il would be a brave and
significant thing TO do. Thank God,
the public conscience is being awak-
ened The new day. witnessing mar
yelous spread of ethical idealism. is
demanding cleaner journalism and a
higher type of journalist. The pro-
fession is TOO noble a one to remain
ON its present low levels. Power
must create a sense OF moral respon-
sibility
"Noblesse oblige."