The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-30
NEWSPAPER MEN
MEET IN MADISON
Writers and Publishers Dis
cilss the Press-Ge0rge
E. Vincent Speaks

Madison. Wis. July Representa-
| tive newspaper and magazine writer's
| and owners gathered at the University
of Wisconsin gymnasium tonight in
the open session of the first national
newspaper conference, called to discuss
| the press.
The principal skeaker was George
E, Vincent. president of the Unlver-
sity of Minnesota. who spoke on The
| Press and the People"
| The conference is the growth OF a
| suggestion made by practical newspa-
per men at the social center meeting
last fall.
An address by GOV f. e. McGovern
was read In his absence by his sec
rotary. It held that the people can
be trusted TO decide wisely whenever
they have the facts upon which fair
Judgment may be based and that this
work has been done and will be done
by the press.
James T, Trotman, president of the
board of university regents. spoke on
THE University and the Newspaper as
Coordinate Tube OF Intelligence"
Mr. George e. Vincent in his ad
dress predicted that despite discussion
of endowed, municipal and public news
papers, the press would remain a prl-
| vately owned public function for an
other generation or two at the least
| President Vincent began his address
| by tracing the history of the Amer
lean press from colonial times. and
| showing how, in his opinion, 1t had
been evolved from and had reflected
the character of the various progress.
sions of American life. He said tina
1t rendered essential service to every
activity of the national life and sup
piled the materials for the growth ant
readjustment of the public mind as
we'll as being OF immense Importance
to the physical welfare of the ma
| ton.
Taking up the question of the in
| nuence OF interests" upon the press
President Vincent said
1T Is doubtless true that the press
| too often yields to economic and social
pressure; but In this 1t Is not unique.
1t shares the responsibility with pol
| tiles, with business, at times with ed l.
ucation and even with religion. News
paper men have as keen sense OF
social respon sibility s the membersof
other professions. | believe that the
rank and file of the press writer's of
| the country are in hearty sympathy
with the changes which promise larger
| justice and fairer conditions of life. Any
pressure exerted on the press Is trans
mitted to these men from the managers
| who employ them.
"rhe shortcomings of the press are
| the products of our national life for
which all of US must assume our share
| of responsibility. True, this wide diff
| fusion of responsibility has sort OF
| phlosophic futility Men who want
something done. and that quickly re-
| sent so impotent n conclusion. 1t is
| satisfying to lay the blame at a def
mite door and to demand instant refor-
nation. But social progress Is not made
to order. Men cannot be expected sud
| denly to free themselves from the
| nexus of dependence which we call the
web of life. No. the failures and short
comings OF the press are part and par
eel of our common life and each of us
must accept share of responsibility.
Nor Is this a hopelessly vague and
fruitless conclusion. There are things
to be done and ways to do them. Some
put their faith in devices and innova
lions IL $4,000 or 100000 OF us would
| pay 500 a year for our daily paper
| IL we would not stop our subscriptions
| whenever the reports or editorials dis
| pleased us, If the journal could be I'M
| hampered by our prejudices and inter
ests. we could find able and compe.
| tent men to give a model publica :
| ton. But plan which calls for SO
radical a change in many human
| beings Is | fear academic. Possibly
| the endowed newspaper which Is to
| be discussed later In this conference
| might be sufficiently detached from the
| influence of its founders and trustees
TO become an independent organ and
| to publish accurately the news which
| other less liberated dailies might be
| tempted TO color or suppress. We shall
be interested to hear about the mu-
nicipal or public journal which Is also
assigned place upon the programme
But whatever may be the final out =
| come II Is safe to predict that for an
! other generation or two the press will
remain a privately owned public. func-
| ton. improvements will come through
many forces all working toward the
| ideal of playing the game of our daily
| life on a higher plane of good sports
manship. There is much to encourage
us, along with many things that give
good ground for solicitude. A few per-
sonal organs of large circulation and
many special publications of different
groups will conceivably tend more and
more TO correct and check any seri-
Gus attempts to distort. modify or sup
press significant fact and opinion"