The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1913-01-04
THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

good and will result in no small In
jury 10 honorable and patriotic pub.
fishers. For, II unpatriotic men or
corporations wish TO control publlca.
tions through their ownership or
mortgage. they will not proceed by
such clumsy methods as viii be re.
vealed by the provisions referred to,
Requiring the publisher Of a period.
cal publication 10 reveal his indebt.
edness aud the names OF his creditors
Is highly unjust and unfair 10 him,
and may be 10 his creditors. Further,
those that buy advertising space in
publications do not need 20 invoke
the congress OF the United States to
determine circulation.
Certainly, there should not be any
more legislation along the lines OF the
provisions above referred TO.
Certain classes OF periodical publl-
cations, notably those generally
termed local weeklIes." have scarce
ly been touched by hostile legislation
OF rulings. They also enjoy the
especial favor OF being carried In tho
mails within the county of publication
without paying postage. But II Is
quite evident that the men and cor
| porations hostile TO a free and fearless
press are now ready to begin their
subtle and gradual attack on the
classes Of publications tnat hereto
fore have escaped. Those hostile 10
the freedom Of the press have in.
deed been shrewd in their movements.
They knew we'll that an attack on the
press In general would stir up a re-
sentiment and alarm that would de-
feat their schemes. They have been
careful to leave TO the last for their
underhanded attack those periodicals
that are nearest to the people-the so.
called local papers. But those IA.
miliar with the conferences among
certain enemies OF the freedom Of the
press know that now those enemies
will shrewdly use the unfairness and
| injustice OF restrictions and regula.
tons applying to only a part Of the
press to justify the application OF
these restrictions and regulations to
the other periodicals. notably the
local weeklies. The freedom Of that
part OF the press that stands nearest
TO the people, as well as that part OF
the press that does so much 70 mould
public opinion, and that has been SO
enterprising and fearless in exposing
schemes TO make the disparity in
worldly possessions all the greater, is
indeed In imminent danger.
The Farmers National Congress Is
especially interested in the freedom
OF that part Of the press-local week.
lies and farm papers-that is closes,
to farmers, but Il pleads for freedom
and justice TO every periodical publ.
cation In the United States.
AS yet. the press Is all powerful for
the public good. II every publisher OF
q periodical publication win at once
address a letter to his member OF
congress and the senators from his
state, protesting that there shall be 40
more legislation 10 hamper and re.
strict the press, those letters will be
needed. To make up for those that
may not 90 to this trouble. Il is urged
that letters be sent also 10 the mem.
bors OF the post once committees OF
both the house and the senate.
Thou are the man" Please do not
expect your duty to be attended TO By
scnne one else: and the best time to
do a right thing is always right new.
FARMERS NATIONAL CONGRESS.
JOHN ". STAHL,
Legislative Agent.