The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1911-04-06
The Commercial Club
and the Newspapers

The Commercial club and the news
paper are probably associated in the
topic assigned to me because both
are, to some extent, public agencies
and both are studying similar prob
LENS and are doing much the same
kind of work. Aside from their pure
ly social side, the commercial clubs
are forums for the discussion of live
issues, and are the means through
which much public work is done, II
in any community there is need of
publicity, new markets, new business
enterprises or manufacturing estab-
hshments, better transportation facili-
ties, play grounds or parks, or any
of the many other things incident to
the upbuilding and development of the
city, the matter usually comes up for
consideration in the public affairs
committee of the local commercial
club, If, indeed, it does not originate
there. A practical plan is then formu-,
lated and plans devised which the cit
liens generally can unite upon and
carry out. In larger way, questions
of state and national Importance are
considered by many clubs and COM
posite idea is perhaps developed, to
be carried out by a federation of all
the clubs and the people back of them.
In all these matters, the clubs work
shoulder to shoulder with the news
papers.
Valuable Cooperation.
There is indeed a valuable co-opera-
ton between the commercial clubs
and the newspapers. The newspapers
are ever on the alert for news, and
aside from this they show a special
interest in everything which means
advancement or promotes the public
good Of the city, the state, the nation
or for that matter of the world at
large. No man, in or out of the COM
mercial club, who can discover or pro-
pose anything for the betterment Of
local or general conditions, will fail
to receive a full measure of apprecia-
ton and support from the newspapers.
The editor, more than most profess
sional men, is at the service of the
public, and it is a part Of his business
and the tradition of his craft to send
forth new ideas to bear fruit in the
minds Of his readers.
Alike In the room of public affairs
committee of a commercial club and
In the editors sanctum, questions OF
importance will constantly arise. How
can we promote conditions in our city,
state and nation, which will be advan-
tageous not only to the present gener-
alton but to those that follow? How
can we determine, promote and main
tain the best relations with other ma
lions and the world at large? Varia-
lions of these questions, both great
and small, will be before us con-
stantly for solution and will GER
tafnly perplex us at times. That the
ultimate settlement will be right,
have no doubt Progress is not at an
end. The rapid pace of the years in
which we live may even be acceler-
ated. The changes Of the future may
make those of the past seem unim-
portant by comparison. Certainly we
cannot stop the rush of events. We
may, however, have something to do
with the direction which they are to
take.
- Editor Must Mold Opinion.
In this connection, the office of the
editor is the most important. He
must lead in discussion, must mold
opinion, and above all he must pre-
sent facts, both material and imna-
terial, in such complete and unbiased
forms as to give his readers that full
knowledge which is required to
sound conclusion.
There is danger of our becoming
drunk with the idea of material pros
perity. Progress has been so tremen-
dous In the field Of mechanical inven-