Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-26

fuDHSnerS employing unlicensed men or
! women are liable to similar penalties.
| The Trainer of the bill, Lieut.. Gov.
O'Hara, is himself "a former Chicago
| newspaper man.
Difference In Views.
| There is wide difference of opinion in
WASHINGTON as to the value Of the pro-
posed law. Interviews sought by a re-
porter for The Star with several news
paper men In Washington serve to show
this.
Louis Garthe, former president of the
Gridiron Club. is Of the opinion that such
a law would be Of the greatest benefit
not only to the public, but to the news
paper man as well.
THE existence of such an organization
as We have in Washington, the standing
ate and the House, serves to show the
necessity for such control as Lieut.. Gov.
O'Hara seems to sbe aiming at Mr..
Garthe said today. ANY one who has
knows that such capitals are infested
| with persons claiming to be newspaper
men. who offer to fix things for money.
and any one who has ever worked in
New York ,, or Chicago k9Pws that big
| newspaper man. and that reputable news
paper employees are constantly hampered
by the activities Of both classes.
Protection Afforded.
1.-THE standing committee here was
found to be a necessity because so many
unauthorized persons and improper per-
sons were active in congressional mat
| tiers. That committee was organized to
protect and safeguard the reputable
newspaper man in the pursuit of his pro-
fession. and there Is no reason why
L -
should not have; similar committee,
which might serve as q sort of journal
| istic state board of control.
II believe that the suggestion made in
Illinois Is well worth working out. and
| 50 far as the examination for appren-
| tees Is concerned 1 would favor includ-
| ing stiff educational qualification.
ut won't do to laugh at such a propO-
sition, or treat 1t with contempt. People
always laugh at the new thing. While
| the method suggested in Illinois may not
| be just the right one, the idea has value.
ut the bottom, and should be glad to
see 1t worked out.
Not Greatly Impressed.
William P. Spurgeon former president
OF the National Press Club. does not at
tach as much Importance to the Illinois
scheme as some others and is inclined to
laugh at the proposition that apprentices
shall serve four years before becoming
full -hedged newspaper men. Mr.. Spur
i geon thinks that the average young news
paper man would not be willing to under
| go such a long period Of probation. His
he calls the difficulty of obtaining the
proper examining board for journalists.
las it stands now" Mr.. Spurgeon
said, 1.-THE newspaper owners and editors
| are an examining board serving just
such purposes as the proposed Illinois bill
contemplates. In the last analysis the
owners OF newspapers must be the judges
wherether or not man has served sucn
an apprenticeship as to entitle him to a
/ license. and the opinions of board or
examiners created by law would be
worthless to an individual owner when
he was considering the fitness OF pos
sible employe.
Furthermore. IL the proposed Illinois
| state board of control were to be ideally
| constituted-of newspaper owners and
| editors equipped by experience to judge
| of the moral character and ability OIL
applicants for positions as newspaper.
men-no particular purpose would be
served, because such owners and editors
are already serving themselves in that
| capacity.
Sees Possible Hardship.
Arthur Dodge. another former .presi-
| dent OF the National Press Club. thinks it
| Impossible to say off-hand just how such
law as is proposed in Illinois would
work out.
eff a man has the necessary qualifica-
| TONS" Mr. Dodge said. 1T is possible for
| him to become a frst-class newspaper
| reporter in forty-eight hours. 80 that the
| clause in the proposed law which would
| require him to wait four years before OBJ
| tanning license proclaiming him a news
paper man would be in the nature of
hardship on him.
THE newspaper business Is not like the
/ law medicine. The newspaper man
| does not seek business from the public.
| He seeks 1t from the paper that employs
/ him. l am of the opinion that the best
| persons to say whether he should be en-
| ployed are the owners of the paper for
| whom he works or wishes to work..
Cannot Be Taught.
John 7. suter. the present president of
! the National Press Club. said:
Newspaper reporting, or journalism Is
something which cannot be taught. If
there ever was a profession to which
man must be born II is that of newspaper
work.
1T may be possible in some way to de-
wise an examination which will develop
whether or not man has acquired GER
tain qualifications essential in newspaper
work. That feature of the proposed law
would have to be worked out in further
detail before 1t would be possible to dis
cuss II to advantage. OF course. news
paper men must be OF high moral char
acter, and an assurance that apprentices
possess that qualification might be of
service.
TT seems to me, however. that a
reputable managing editor Is best quail
fled to determine whether a man shall be
employed in the newspaper business. and
that he is much better qualified in every
respect than any state board of exam
iners possibly could be-"
The spelling contest of the public
schools of Carroll county. Md. has ended
in victory for Miss Naomi Yingling of
Hampstead. who will get. the gold medal.
and Miss Olive Eibaugh of WOolerys dis
same design.