The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1914-05-01
EDITORIAL COMMENT
The Press and Public Entertainments.

newspaper is published, and one that
differs to some extent In every COM
munity, is that of the attitude the local
paper should assume toward public e.
tertainments, and the courtesy due tie
paper from those expecting favors at
the hands of the same. The Globe laid
down some rules some three or more
years ago which 1t has faithfully ad-
notice, cards OF thanks, lodge resolu-
tons, and public entertainments which
charged admission; other matters free
But it has always considered that men,
ton of entertainments, even where Civ
en- for public benefit, certainly entitled
the press to reciprocal courtesy on the
part of those promoting the same,
otherwise the editor. who is not as
rule rolling in opulence, is taxed more
than other citizens in the public inter-
est Grangeville is not the most ideal
in its conduct along this line; in fact
we have seen few places which have
been more parsimonious in their treat
ment of the papers than this same
place where we are now living, and
there are no places we know Of where
the papers work harder and do more
gratuitously for the public than here
in Grangeville. Recently after devot-
ing column or two to boosting pub
lie entertainment gratuitously, and re-
ceiving no recognition of the same, the |
management explained to the writer |
that the cause of it was that "yon were |
expected to come around and ask for |
what you wanted" No self resp ,cting |
newspaper man wants to be put in
such position and no person who has
gumption enough to appreciate good |
treatment will knowingly place hiEi in
such a position, and require him t.
come around and TASK" for them to re-
turn the favors which he has extended
The return should be made fire ely and
literally, without request or mention
in any manner on the publisher S part.
The following comments along that
line from the Caldwell Idahoan are d.
rected well to the point:
THE usual courtesies of the
press In connection with public {
entertainments are often over
looked in Bandon. Newspapers
are only quasi public institutions,
often quite material yet always
human. If complimentary mem {
ton, DIETER defined as advertising /
in disguised or subsequent COM l
ment is desired, it might at least !
be favored with complimentary t
admission. Furthermore it is uni r
versally customary" i
We clip the above from the Bandon i
World, published in our neighboring t
state of Oregon. We can hardly agree a
ire heartily in accord. The local press q
s not extended the courtesies due it. y
There is no power in any community L
greater than the local press. And it c
S anxious to boost every worthy cause. s
Today there will be great republican
Meeting in this city. And with char
all to extend to the press an invita-
ion to be present, and it will also fail N
0 provide table and chairs for the O.
peal reporters. 1t is just such little D
hings as this that glaringly set forth N
he rude provincialism of people, 1t c,
, failing of the small town. And, IL
rhen the affair is all over, its pro-
loters will be loud in their denuncia- te
ons of the local press because it has O,
allied to play the story up as it's tc
ignity merited." The press should a,
e invited to all public meetings and SC
onveniences should be provided it. ST
ONE few years ago when Caldwell II
ad a splendid opportunity to get on tn
lie map-we refer to the visit of m
resident Taft-the provincials there i.
lied to provide entertainment and
,nveniences for the some 80 great
correspondents who represented the
'ess bureaus and great dailies of our
,untry And while the committee
ok the president up to the fair, it
# the correspondents kicking around VI
the depot, and instead of from
Llf to column writeup Caldwell
It line mention, and the people of NJ,
lnyon county were misjudged be-
use of the crude, bucolic simplicity
its entertainment committee. The
ess is entitled to some courtesies
d some consideration.
In respect to complimentary tickets de
local entertainments. Such tickets
ways create in the press friendly ar.
ling, and, when furnished in time, an
sally bring a complimentary n'tice. sol
e complimentary notice given when 81
nplimentary tickets are received is de;
exchange of couresies and should 80.
so considered. But there is objec- If
n to them. Too many people in ca 81,
ding these courtesies do it grudg-
ly and expect it to offset their adj
Using account. Others call it
the press and come to nov
X upOn il as a sort of charity act | VIII