Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-17

that Secretary Wilson, after giving a
glowing account of phenomenal ad-
vancement in the productivity of the
farms of the country, due largely TO
improved methods in farming and the
result Of an educational campaign OF
the department Of agriculture during
the 16 years he has been the secre-
Iary, takes occasion 70 give the news
papers his endorsement as helpers in
the good cause.
The Springfield Register calls pub
lie attention 10 this fact. not merely
to thank Secretary Wilson for his
good judgment and his truthful state
ment, but also TO point moral and
| adorn a tale
The action OF Secretary Wilson is
( in such striking contrast TO that OF
some other department heads, par
/ ticularly to that of the postmaster
/ general, that it emphasizes the injus-
/ tee done 10 the press by men hold
| ing a little brief authority. Instead
of recognizing the value Of the news
papers as the greatest educational as
/ set of the nation, for which its admis.
sion TO second class" postal rates
was small justice, the postofhce de-
partment of late, by introducing reg
ulations" and securing the adoption Of
laws by congress enabling the post
master general to establish censor
ship over newspapers" and other
second class matter" is Russianiz-
ing the postofice department and
handicaping the newspapers in their
educational work for the enlighten'
ment of the people and the building VI
of the country's commercial, indust
} rial and civic institutions.
with the help Of the press" this
country has become the great nation
It is. Without that help it might have
been like those benighted nations
without newspapers, or it might have
become a despotism like Russia
with the help OF the press" our ma
= ton has remained free; civil and re
ligious liberty have been maintained;
its educational, industrial and com
Smercial institutions have grown and
prospered; the people have beer
blessed and their homes protected
its agricultural interests have ad
vanced and its cities and towns have
hourished.
The people, the plain people, under
? stand this, and the wide circulation
! of the best newspapers attest tina
, knowledge.
: Plain citizens and business men
p when they contemplate any move
Z ment for reform. or any educational
I civic or business enterprise, go frs
) to the newspaper for help, and if the
movement or enterprise is worth!
= one they always receive the help the!
seek. Everyone knows this.
= The newspapers Of Illinois hav'
e largely helped to make II the Empire
3 state of the west, and are helping IL
the work of making it the Empir,
. state Of the nation. The newspaper
. OF every city in the land are doinl
{ more than their share" of work 10
S the common good and their eommuni
: tvs prosperity.
( Publicity-newspaper publicity
+ the most potent influence in ever
movement lOr the common goou, II
; every enterprise to advance tn
!. growth and prosperity Of the countr
4 and its people.
e OF course we speak of the news
}. papers in general way-as an inst
= tuition. Not every newspaper is liz
s ing up to it's duty and its opportunitie
e for usefulness, but these are few CON
pared with those who unselfshly Il
y Dor. for the public good, and whic
= are prime factors in helping TO bull
r up.
l. The unworthy newspaper should
dealt with Northumberland most {
them are, and the entire press shout
be credited and not Handicapped.
With the help Of the press this couI
!. try will continue to prosper and b
:, free. and this state will become til