The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-12-15
SENTIMENT IS AGAINST
THE YELLOW NEWSPAPERS
Journalistic Workers Discuss
Matter Before Mems Club
of Jefferson-ave. Church.

How far a newspaper should so Ia
publishing the sordid. sensational tea-
lures OF current happenings, and the.
real obligation the newspapers owe
the community We're discussed by De-
troit newspaper men AT the banquet
OF the Mems club Of the Jofferson.ave.
Presbyterian church, in Newberry
chapel. Thursday evening. The speak
ers were Annesley Burrowes, formerly
an editorial employe of the Detroit
News; Alfred ]. PITTS, of The Detroit
Times; Harry Al. Mirpmo, editor of,tne
Detroit Saturday Night, and Thomas
May. of the Detroit Journal.
The Rev. j. Frederick Fitschen, Jr,
pastor of the church, was toastmaster,
end announced the topic as The sen
sational press; should the public sup
port it?" The testimony in the kei-
logg cxse, the publication OF which
aroused the people of Detroit 10 Wig.
orous protest against the p4rading ot
this Shiny matter before the publlc,
figured to Il large extent in the even
ing's discussion.
Mr.. MAY. whose specific purpose IN
attending the banquet was to give an
word picture OF the realm
of caricature and cartooning, SAID
sensatfonalism should not exceed the
limitations where the welfare OF the
substantially and progressive clientele
would be in peril.
lie was followed by Mr.. Pitts, who
dealt extensively with the various
yellow" and ultra-conservative news
a. a nrtlt
manner ard methods they use IN
handling news stories and the iniin-
ence. for good or bad. that these pub
LEGATIONS may have in the particular
sections to which they cater.
I'VE are told by certain persons,
both within and without the helo OF
journalism" he said. that the pconle
want sensational ncws, and that that
is why we see so many sfaFine head
lines. The problem resolves itself
into the specific question: should the
publisher be guided by the dictates
of the newsboy and sometimes disre-
gard the truth for lhe sake Of ecnsa-
tion and publish glarinp headlines ana
sensational news for the purpose or
building up circulation at the sacr'-
fee OF Il principle? Where do most
Of the newspapers go-to the people
OF the street on 10 the household !
am sure tho larger number goes 10
the home. Then, accepting this ms ar
established fact is IL fair 10 imDeril
the bows and girls. and 10 impose upon
the fathers and mothCcs, or other
members of the household. by describ-
ing the hideousnoss OF conditions in
divorce. by making a hero or a hero
inc OF defendant ia n homicide trial
and ubsessin2 those whose mentality
is not strong. with ideas that would
tend 10 make them SINK to lower
depths instead OF climbing TO higher
aims?
There is certain class IN whom
homicidal tastes are nc planted by
claring headlines and utra.scnsatiou-
al stories We arc TO1d- by certain
persons that publicity is necessary to
arouse the sentiment uf the people
against the evil described But, too
often glittering headlines and lurid
stories are dun reading So fnr as The
moral is concerned 10 the very people
whose uplift is aimed at You can
nor ignore the law Of suggestion.
when news stories exceed the proper
limitations and sink 10 The depths or
deprayity. il IS severe blow at rhe
Aery foundation npon Which ihe urWs
paper stands
AFTER all. tho real foundation OF
nur civilization is the home. from
hicN women are keeping a faith.
fui vigil Tor our welfare. and if va
are 80 progress we must UrrDund
them With wholesome influence For
4 publisher 10 send mo the household
10 newspaper WHICH COnju.ns OOirC.
iiOnable stories is deccp, on upOn
the subscriber who hos t-pstel In
,he integrity Of the editorial cXecu-
tive And the same rrlc uf SpAJUr
should apply TO ihe adyerusing de-
paftmenr When & rubtsher accepts
end inserts al advertisement the pur.
rort OF which Is 10 deceive and 80 de-
oCcnduued ON ruEe Steven