The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-08-30
PRINTING ADS. FROM OTHER
TOWNS.
american Press. }

The question Of printing advertise
ments OF business men outside the
home town who deal in articles sup
piled by local dealers is one that has
long been most interesting subject
among various OF the publishers of
country papers.
Does the printing of such ads. work
against the best interests OF the home
dealers?
That seems to be the query the an
swer to which determines the atti-
tude OF the average publisher.
We do not believe that the accept
ance of such business by a paper in
jures the local merchant or in any
way operates against the home town:
We gave brief description OF this
subject In last weeks edition OF The
American Press in the news columns,
describing the experience of Rice +.
Parsons, editor and publisher of the
Republican of Central City, Neb. So
hhoHs iStIeio haNc UeeIl IeCelSeu COl
corning that article that we felt i'm
PEELED to devote more space to the
topic.
Let us state briefly the facts re.
lating to the Central City Republic
can. They are illustrative Of the sit
uation that affects many country pa
pers. The Republican was boycotted
by local merchants because it ran the
advertisements. of dealers situated
outside of the home town--in Grand
Island, which is within comparative
ly easy access of Central City. The
paper. however, maintained firm
stand and reasoned sensibly with the
weakened storekeepers. WHO, fearing
honest competition, sought to de-
stroy the paper that was laboring in
many different ways to develop ana
build up the town. The Republican,
for instance. In one OF its articles on
the condition said in part:
LET THE PEOPLE JUDGE.
AFTER mature deliberation on the
subject of granting admittance to
our columns Of advertising matter
from firms In other towns than our
own engaged in u business which con-
flicts with one or more institutions
operating here the publishers of the
Republican have concluded they are
absolutely justified in so doing.
"If our merchants are offering
their goods at prices that compare
with business houses at Grand Island
we firmly believe they have nothing
to fear. To fear competition reveals
weak spot in the makeup to any
man and removes from him the conf
dence Of the people.
We have merchants here in Cen
trail City who are not afraid OF COM
petition, and 1t is this class of bust
ness men who are devoting their time
to the development Of their business
rather than to lamenting the fact
that the foolish people insist on run
ming to Grand Island to spend their
money"
In. .indorsing the stand taken by
the Republican we desire to state
that the newspapers duty to its read
ers iustifiesit beyond all question In
running the notices of outside busi-
ess men. These ads. add to the
value of the columns Of the paper be-
cause they make them OF increased
service to the readers. They show
what other merchants are doing. an
comparisons with the home dealers
are educational to the vast army OF
purchasers. If the home storekeeper
is overcharging or becoming careless
or falling "behind the times" in his
business methods he will learn very
soon that his customers have discov,.
cred it, and he must Immediately
mend his ways to hold his trade. I
A paper is business institution
and not q charitable organization. 1t
| Is entitled to derive income from any
proper source. and in return for this
income 1t performs invaluable SER
vices to the community. 1t keeps an
eye on public officials and affairs.
promotes local improvements and
bringsthe outside world TO every
mans door. Therefore it should be
encouraged and not heckIed and
hazed by narrow minded merchants
who fear that honest competition
might force them to give dollars
worth for every dollar.
The editor without enthusiasm for
his work often grumbles because he
is not appreciated" by his home cit