The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-09-27
THE COMIC SUPPLEMENT-.

Mrs. Anna Sanborn Hamilton, of
Washington, D. c., president OF the
League of American Pen Women, was
asked to write paper to be read be-
fore the convention of the National
Press Association, which was held in
Detroit last month. The paper is val
liable from every standpoint and sug-
gestive for all interested in the better
ment of the daily newspaper. The pa
per begins by describing the organiza-
ton with it's nearly 200 members,
some of whom are in the front rank
of American letters, while all are ac-
lively engaged as journalists, authors
or illustrators. Then the writer
speaks of the leagues interest in child
welfare and the improvement Of the
comic supplement. In it's endeavor to-
ward the betterment OF the comic sup
plement. the league two years ago
thought to influence public opinion
and adopted resolutions with view
to solicit general expression of pub
lie opinion from those who have the
welfare of our children at heart and
further urged parents and teachers,
ministers and church organizations,
women's and mems clubs and all 9TH
er thoughtful persons, to join with
them in an effort for radical reform
of the pernicious comic supplement.
Five thousand copies of these reso-
lutions were printed and sent out,
and petition was formulated asking
the Improvement of the supplement.
Recently another 5000 copies of the
resolutions were printed and posted to
women's clubs, teachers, ministers
presidents of universities and colleges
and to other persons of influence. Re
plies have been received from many
II all indorsing the resolutions and many
using very strong terms Of condemna
ton of the alleged humorous supple
ments Clubs and various organiza
lions have offered assistance anc
many papers even while using the
supplement, have graciously published
! reports encouraging proceedings alont
. the line of improvement
The Boston Herald abandoned thu
comic supplement during the latte
, part of 1908, in recognition Of in
creasing dissatisfaction, and apparent
/. lily met with no obstacles in providini
substitute, and the approving letter
from home makers and organization
: lof various kinds show that the de
Q moniacal ingenuity of the Katzenjam
e mer Kids" Happy Hooligans.
e "Smartys" and "Gastons" are no
J necessary even to the amusement Q
! the children This has been demon
: strated by the New York Post an
/. the Sun. 1t is said that the World an
|. Times will as soon as their contract
y for colored work expire, displace tn
t comic supplement by drawings of er
e pertaining and harmless fun.
An analysis of the supplements
five New York papers was made 3
. Henry Turner Bailey in the Graph
:, Arts. Mr. Bailey found that twelve
their pictures showed some form
assault or fright" eight showed chi
II dren getting the better OF their Q
). ders," seven showed some form
II successful deception; four Shove
e that doing the right or speaking tn
truth resulted in unpleasant cons
% quences TO the yirtuous"; three mad
. light of personal reform; three ha
a filings at marriage; two showed thu
n neglect of duty was apparently wit
" out serious consequences" while on
ss two had IAN amusing point wort
N making with children" Mr.. Bale
o adds that a worse pabulum for your
sr America could hardly be concocte
= The combined influences OF the HON
= the public schools and all the church
II together. are hardly sufficient to UNI