Evening journal., 1912-08-01
WRITERS TELL
OF PRESS VALUE

MADISON. Wis. Aug. 1-That
ethical standards of the press OF the
United States are as high as the so
oiety il serves, was the conclusion
reached by most OF the speakers at
the opening session of the national
newspaper conference. The subject was
whether magazine and newspaper
writer's Are free to tell the truth.
The convention began in the gymna-
stun of the University of Wisconsin
tonight, end will continue three days.
The conference is being held under
the auspices of the extension depart
ment of Wisconsin University, aud is
the first of its kind ever held. Scores
of prominent writer's and educators
we're present from all parts OF the
United States.
The opening addresses were by Pro-
fessor f. Reber. dean of the extension
department, University of Wisconsin;
James r. Trottman Of Milwaukee,
president of the board of university
regents: Governor F. p. McGovern.
Colonel william ] Anderson Of
Madison. chairman of the ar
rangements committee. and DR..
George p. Vincent. president of the
University of Minnesota.
Result OF Year Old Plan,
Professor Reber said the suggestion
of newspaper conference came up at
gathering of sociologists here last
year, and was readily approved by the
regents of the university. A news
paper, like university, should he
said. stand for high ethical purpose,
and have for its aim lasting humani-
tartan ends and the general welfare.
Colonel Anderson said the question
was whether the press should be gov
erned by laws which controlled the
sale of merchandise or py the hign
ethical standards which would pro-
mote morals and welfare of society
generally He believed the politicar
atmosphere Of Wisconsin was an ideal
place for its discussion.
= President Trottman spoke on the
university and press as coordinate
tools for the promotion Of social in
telligence. Governor McGovern said
the present conference had been
called to minimize the press tempta-
ton 20 do evil and to enlarge its op-
portunities for doing good.
Many Temptations Of Press.
The public press, he said, 'is a
human institution II Is subject TO
all the evil inclinations and responds
to every unselhsh impulse of our
common humanity To ascertain
what the policy of a newspaper or
| particular subject, what news II will
print and what it will suppress, all
one needs do is TO ind out who owns
the plant and what his personal quail
ifcations and peculiar interests
Thus you will find the key to the
situation, to the good done as well
as the mischief planned or wrought
Improvement can only come as So
ciety as a whole improves"
DR.. Vincent, who spoke on The
Press and the people, traced the oe-
velopment Of the public press in the
United States and paid a warm tri-
butte to It for promoting the general
welfare and citizenship Of the peo-
pie.
ut is doubtless true" he said. that
the press too often yields TO economic
and social pressure, but in this II is
not unique II shares the RESPONSE
bility with politics, with business, Al
times with education, and even with
religion.
Press Writers Favor Justice.
Il believe the rank and flle of the
press writer's OF the country are n
! hearty sympathy with the changes
which promise large justice and fairel
conditions Of life The short-coming
Of the press are the product Of oui
, national life, for which al of us mus
assume our share Of responsibility
Social progress is not made to or.
der Men cannot be expected sud
denly 70 free themselves from th'
nexus Of dependence which we cal
the web Of life No, the failures an'
shortcomings of the press are par
! and parcel Of car common life, ans
/ each Of us must accept a share o
responsibility.
! Standards Of Judgment about ran
I way rebates campaign expenses. cor
[ rupt political practices have show
, marked changes for the better Wh'
may not attempts 70 influence news
papers by advertisers pressure conn
so emphatically under the social bal
as to receive even legislative atten
ton? The best corporations are M
longer making direct campaign con
tributions. and the worst cannot get
chance 10 hestow them. Is it utopisl
! to believe that the best pay openl'
5 for their publicity