Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1914-01-02
(By Ernest Heinz

The dominant note in the meeting Of
the State Press association, just con-
eluded here, was progression. 1t was
singnlarly forward-looking confer
snce Of earnest, purposeful men. A
spirit OF that enterprise which spells
expansion and compels success sur,
charged their deliberations.
The annual midwinter meeting was
unique in two particulars. First, In
the face OF holiday allurements, the
publishers made shop the paramount
Issue" Lexington did herself proud
as host, and what was provided in en-
tertainment was enjoyed to the full,
yet was made to conform to the rule
Of business first.
Politics Is Eschewed.
A striking evidence Of the severity
with which the rule was applied was
the utter elimination of politics-this
In Kentucky, mind you. In this mort.
fication of the flesh," as one editor put
1t, was present the second distinctive
feature Even woman suffrage, clam
orous for consideration at other ses-
sions, was under ban. Shop, from door
mat to hell-box, was the commanding
theme throughout two busy days.
The general response of newspaper
men to the call Of J. c. Alcock, of JEFF
fersontown, secretary of the X. p. A,
testified that Blue-Grass publishers as
whole are sensible of the advantages
to be gained through cooperation and
alive to the responsibilities of modern
newspaper making. Reports showed
that within the year standards had
been set forward, yet more fertile
fields waited upon stimulated effort.
Reader and Advertiser Exacting.
There was unanimity of opinion
among speakers that requirements of
the newspapers Of to-day, particularly
Of the rural press, were more extern
sive and more diversified and more ex-
acting than Of yesterday. Readers have
been educated on the technical side
to the point of demanding a compre-
hensive and up-to-the-hour news serv-
ice nowadays, it was shown, and the
"time-hook" clippings culled from
sources most convenient heretofore
must give space 30 attractive features
and instructive reading. Advertiser
and subscriber have become exacting
together, merit has become the meas.
ure of patronage and success a matter
Of cause and effect.
There was a wholesome frankness
in the admission OF defciencies-in
rectness in recommending progressive
policies. Remedial suggestion was
not confined to the better-paper objec-
tive. Methods for business getting
were revised, emphasis was placed on
system, leaks were pointed out, oppor-
tunities were sighted and cost was
figured by the table of results. Good
business, it was agreed. must be the
foundation OF healthy expansion and
constructive economy the corner
stone.
Opened With Luncheon.
The spirit of Christmastide was
manifest in the greetings of the pub
fishers when they assembled in the
Hotel Phoenix Monday noon at a
luncheon--a fitting preface to con-
ference largely devoted to things as
serious as the high cost of living. An
hour later John H. Lawrence, of Cadiz,
president OF the association, called the
company TO order. DR.. r. II. Cross
field. president of Pennsylvania univer-
sity, delivered an invocation, and John
Skain, who in being mayor of Lex
ington, also bore out the tradition OF
Kentucky eloquence, bespoke the
city's welcome, the prayer and greet
ing formally inaugurating programmed
proceedings.
Response TO the welcoming address
was graceful under the touch of II.
A. Sommers of the Elizabethtown
News, who saw pleasure and profit
happily blended in this foregatherlng
within the gates OF a city renowned
for hospitality.
prison Reforms" was the subject
OF paper by A. ]. Wells warden of
the State Reformatory at Frankfort.
hehluChy eullOTb nave uOHe hOldDle
service for the elevation of the prison
system. and Capt. Wells theme was
of large interest to all.
Down To Shop Talk.
The first round table was conducted !
by Ed. ID. Shinnick. of the Shelbyyille |
Record. Cooperation Conducive TO
Success" laid out broad ground for
the subject plan OF the meeting. In
numerous short talks accent was !
placed upon the practical advantages
Of Kentucky motto applied to the
profession.
DIR. A. 8. Mackenzie. a member OF
the faculty OF State University. saw
Just around the cornor a better equip
ped editor for the Kentucky newspa-
per through the activities OF the
school Of journalism At that institu- !