The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1913-01-31

uul tH6HlSSlNcS,. SuDJcCI W Tic Will u
the majority, of course. AS a con
crete example, take a condition nov
existing a. Idaho Falls. The cit
recently expended $4,000 on
municipal hydro-electirc plant. 1t i
creating hundreds of horsepoWe
more than the legitimate needs o
the city require, and consequent.
that surplus power is lost-a pure
economic waste. If home rule eX
isted such as | would like to see
there would be nothing to prevent
the citizens of Idaho Falls from say
ing to a street car company or tC
4 manufacturing concern, or to any
industry they may desire to locate
there: Here. You do so and so and
give our people such and such ser
vice, and we will give you a franchise
for operation, and we viii give your
power free for term Of years.
That would result in city building
and state building. but at present the
law says that Il municipality may
furnish electricity for lighting, but
that it must charge an equal rate to
all consumers. 1t doesn't mention
power at all.
But I am getting away from the
subject of my paper. The question
confronting the publisher and editor
is, how to bring out his honest views
on these questions, at the same time
make living and fair profit, and
retain the respect and the patronage
of his fellow citizens. Like the
poor, there is always with us the man
who says, fight for the right and
the people will support you" His
name is legion. Generally he Dor
rows the paper from his neighbor
1t sounds good in theory, but it's
very poor practice, | have learned
by experience The trouble is we're
not all agreed as to what is the right
is mighty unpopular at first, and the
people flock to your support-but
the flock carries rope and they
want to support you with it by the
neck.
Whenever a public question arises
the newspaper, because of it's public
nature, is expected to take part in
the discussion. Other business men
will keep close guard on their ton
CUES, crimped with a fear of hurt
ing business" But the newspaper
man is expected to rush in, give his
time, energy and brains to the solving
of the problem and generally, this
is what he does And as he most al
ways has red blood in his viens and
wants to see his community prosper,
he forgets to stipulate his remuner-
alton in advance, and about all he
gets is cussing, lot of arguments
with irate subscribers stopping their
paper, and the loss of advertising and
printing customers.
Pondering this, the thought has
come to me that the newspaper man
could pursue this course, without
sting of conscience nor the loss of
the respect of ihs fellows, and that
is, think the question out carefully,
decide absolutely what policies and
what candidates you will support as
a citizen. Then gather around you
those citizens who are of the same
mind. and say to them something like
his, "As citizen, have decided to
cast my vote for this policy and that
You fellow citizens are
Of the same mind, but Jones is not
leaving his dry goods store, nor is
Brown abandoning his grocery store,
TO preach these truths from the house
ops. All I intend to do, Is to vote
my convictions and talk to my friends
unless you fellows want to clip in
md pay me for my time, the use of
my circulation and my valuable plant
'or the PRONUNCIATION of the ideas you
believe to be right, and I. believing
also that they are right, will con
;ribute equally in service. That Is
Ill I can be expected to do. 7 must
make my living and my competence
,ut of my services and my plant, and
Unless you want to make good the
oss of time used in writing articles
the cause and the loss of
business that may follow, had bet
ed devote my time to my printing
,uiness. and say no more about the
than does Jones or Brown,
because it will hurt business.
Such a course would naturally
,ring on the charge from certain
quarters, that you had been bought,