Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-27
SLABS At ROOSEVELT
Big Business Backs Journals Aiding
Former President, He Says.
URGES HONESTY FOR PRESS
Shows Value Of Having Source Of
Editorial Policy Made
Public.

~~.SA>SA TIC AC"SP0PCAS WAlOAA 0l0 sup.
porting Theodore Roosevelt In his cam
paign for third term as President Of the
United States on the floor Of the House
are controlled by big intereats, and which
at the same time are mistakenly demand
ing the return Of Col. Roosevelt Repre-
sentative Barnhart did not mention Col
Roosevelt's name, but he was clearly re-
ferring to that candidate, and SO stated
in private conversation after his speech.
MANY papers he said in his speech
ARE clamoring for an alleged reformer
for President, and IL IL common rumor
that these papers are controlled by men
in the harvester and steel trusts"
Half q dozen representatives from diff
ferent parts Of the floor arose from their
seats and asked Mr.. Barnhart to specify
these papers.
Journalistic ethics will not permit me
to do So" responded Representative Barn
hart, who has been q newspaper man for
twenty-five years.
That reply would not satisfy the House.
and members kept up constant inquiry.
Gives Name Of Perkins.
"All right" said Representative Barn.
hart, 1T Is q common runnor and 10 re-
ported to me from several sources that
George w. Perkins. owner Of tremendous
interests, IL In full control of the New
York Mail and several other leading pub
locations and that he owns them in such
q way that his ownership is not apparent
also understand that the Mccormick
family, which Is at the head OF the har.
vester trust, owns the Chicago Tribune"
Representative Mann of Illinois Inter-
rupted Representative Barnhart to tell
him that the Mccormick family, which
owns the Tribune, Is not interested IN the
At the close of Mr. Barnhart's remarks
he said that he would insert In the Record
the rest Of his speech. Representative
Barnhart's speech was made Tor the pur-
Post ONCE appropriation bill, which
would require all newspapers to print IN
a conspicuous place the names OF all
owners Of their stocks or bonds.
Is Under Suspicion.
Journalism Of today" he said, rs too
largely under unjust suspicion Of being
controlled by evil influences, ana this Is
but the result OF many newspapers ana
magazines parading in such q way as
to make themselves appear to be anony-
nous publications. This, in the very ma
tur0 OF things, not only invites question
Of their editorial motives, by reason o.
their yelled management. but It subjects
the press generally to the unfair asper-
sion that corrupt or selfish interests DOM
mate the editorial sentiment Of the day.
And there IL just cause for apprehen-
sion that some publications cover up
their real purposes. For instance, re-
call that few years ago q street railway
magnate secured majority ownership In
two leading newspapers In q great west
ern city, and thereby created disastrous
public opinion and scandalized journalism.
These papers, under this management.
attempted to make and unmaka city off,
Gals in the interest Of the owners rail-
way investments, rather than In the in
terest Of public welfare.
And they succeeded to such an ex-
tent that the design to mislead public
opinion for the profit Of the mercenary
owner was accomplished, and then he
threw of the mask and sold his news
paper holdings in an open transaction.
that 1t had been taking its inspiration
from editorials dictated by the very
interest that wanted more profitable
franchise. and got 1t. but the horse was
then already stolen, and locking the
door was lost cause.
"0ught to Be Corrected"
Charges are frequently heard that
other big publications Of the country are
not infrequently under influences like
have just cited, and II these be true the
late, and II not, the editor and owners
should have the benefit of the vindica
ton which the publicity Of ownership
and editorship would give them. We
have seen or heard of instances In many
cities in our country where corrupt poll
ticians or corrupt business interests
have had proprietary and editorial con-
troll OF the moulds Of public opinion.
And we know that many editorials have
large influence for evil which would be
harmless II the real authorship were
fully known to those who read them.
This Is baneful condition which, in
justice to honest Journalism and a de-
serving public. ought to be corrected II
there be circulating mediums which bear
false witness. let the public know Of their
inspiration. II there be editors who sell
their souls for a mess Of pottage. their
identity should be known. And X there
be newspapers or other periodicals pub
lished to promote corrupt practices or
prey upon the credulity Of the people by
covertly UNFOLDING avarice and greed. let
the light Of publicity shine fully upon