Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1914-06-03
JUST TO MAKE 1T PLAIN.

JUST TO MAKE 1T PLAIN.
The Herald is in receipt of letter
from Prof. Wilgus, of the state
normal school at Platteville, taking
exception to an article published in
this paper a couple of weeks ago,
criticizing the policy of that institu-
ton in soliciting free advertising in
the newspapers. Mr.. Wilgus says he
did not ask an announcement, as set
forth in their calalog, as solicited
free advertisement, nor even as a
personal favor, but simply inquired
whether such announcemt would not
be of interest to our readers.
Further, that he had no funds which
he was authorized to use for such
advertising and if printed it must be
simply as news, but the service would
be appreciated.
Our comment was not meant as a
reflection upon Mr.. Wilgus PERSONAL
ay, but in criticism of policy which
as general among institutions of a
public or semi-public character. Our
mail is burdened every day, and so is
that of every other publisher, with
requests for free publication of
articles that are intended and expect
ed to boost the movement or institu-
ton Of which it treats, and almost
invariably it is stated that there ar e
no funds provided with which to pay
for the service asked" and it is
solicited because it will ''no doubt be
of much interest to our readers. =
Sometimes they say the publisher
will not be charged anything for hav-
ing the article furnished to him for
publication.
The graft is becoming such uni
Versal one, from the various depart
ments of government at Washington,
down the line to states and counties,
that 1T is becoming sort of night
mare to publishers, who give, and
give, and give of the space in their
papers, which represents their stock
IN trade and costs them hundreds of
dollars every year, whereas the space
should bring its value into their bank
account with which to pay their bills
and help to provide living.
No person or company in any com
Enunity is so constantly called upon as
the publisher of a newspaper, to give
away free of charge that for which
he should in all justice be given pay.
And it is doubtful whether one person.
out of ten for whom such favors are
rendered really appreciates what the
publisher does for him, but takes it
for matter of course that by the
use OF few soft words he can get
it for nothing.
Prof. Wilgus says the same letter
ne sent to The Herald was sent to
several other papers in this section
of the state, and that cit has been re-
ceiVed by them in the same spirit in
which it was sent. - We have
several of those papers before US on
our table as we write, and some of
then have copied The Herald's article,
60 which he takes exception, and COM
mented upon it to the effect that it
exactly represents their sentiments.
True it is, as Mr.. Wilgus says,
that cit is the state board of regents
which controls all expenditures and
establishes policies for the schools,
IN publicity as we'll as in other
matters. - That's exactly it. We
have no desire to say one unkind word
about Mr.. Wilgus or the institution
ne represents. We have the best of
feeling for them both. Our comment
was upon the policy of not only the
Platteville normal but institutions
and organizations in general that ask
the newspapers to publish for nothing
"a lot of stuff for which they ought to
have pay.
It's poor policy and needs fixing.
A merchant might as we'll ask free
publicity upon the grounds that a
papers readers would be much in
tersted in what he has to tell about
his wares and his bargains. If pub
Tic institutions and officials have no
funds provided with which to pay for
the publicity they ask, it is time
such fund was provided. Certainly
they are more able to stand it than
publishers are to donate it.