New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1912-09-07
A SWEEPING LAW OF CON
GRESS AGAINST THE
PRESS.

Inc recent Congress, whic
spent more than a billion dollar
IN its avOwed work of economic
ing and saving the public none,
evidently was most unkindlu dis
posed towards the public press
for while it did not attempt t,
! deprive 1t Of its constitutions
liberty, sought to load it will
some highly oppressive exactons
This fact comes out in a prov
sion inserted in the postal approp
ration law. 1t requires as fol
lows:
THAT it shall be the duty of
the editor, publisher, business
manager or owners of every news
paper, magazine, periodical or
other publication, to file with the
postmaster general and the posi-
master at the office at which said
publication is entered, not later
than the 1st day of April and the
lst day of October of each year,
ON blanks furnished by the Post
saice Department, sworn state.
ment setting forth the names and
postotfice addresses Of the editor
and managing editor, publisher,
business manager and owners, and
IN addition the stockholders, il
the publication be owned by a
corporation, and also the names
of known bondholders, mortgages
or other security holders, and also,
in The case Of daily newspapers,
there shall be included of copies of
each issue of such publication sold
or distributed to paid subscribers
during the preceding six months.
A copy of such sworn state
nent shald be published in the |
second issue of such newspaper,
or other publication |
printed next after the filing of |
'uch statement. Any such pub
ication shall be denied the priv
leges Of the mail il it shall fail
o comply with the provisions of
he mail if it shall fail to comply
With the provisions Of this para
,raph within ten days after no.
ice by registered letter Of such
allure,
"That all editorial or other
eading matter published in any
uch newspaper, magazine or Pc
iodical, for the publication Of
which money or other valuable
consideration is paid, accepted Or
'romised, shall be plainly marked
advertisement. Any editor or
'ublisher printing editorial or
ther reading matter for which
compensation is paid, accepted or
'romised, without so marking the
anne, shall, upon conviction ia
ny court having jurisdiction, be
ned not less than $50 nor more
han $500"
Not only does the law require
of circulation to be
led with the Postoffice Depar-
lent, but the names of stOckhold-
RS, mortgage-holders and bond
olders of all such newspapers
nd magazines are also to be filed,
nd this is to- be done on April l
nd Oct. / of each year. All edi-
,rial and other reading matter
ublished for which money is re-
lived must be plainly marked as
1vertisement, under penalty Of
eavy fines. The honorable SEN !
.ors and representatives are full
determined to know who it is,
neither persons officially connect
with the Office of publication,
. others on the outside, who !
rite the criticisms and exposures !
at are made Of the official con-
let Of the distinguished states
en- who are the honor and gloryl !
the American Republic. 1t
ould be noticed that ours is the l
lly nation where the freedom oil
e press is guaranteed in the j
ational Constitution, and the {
y is not far distant when the I
institution will be abolished and I
at particular guarantee SPECIAL r
exparged.-Picayune.
L L