The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-07-24
THE PRESS.

I sometimes wonder how many people
pause long enough to give "a single
thought to the "'courtesies due the
press.
Probably one in ten-possibly not one
in twenty.
And yet it is a matter which should
be given serious consideration by every
person who has at heart the welfare of
the community.
The editor of the local paper is ex-
pected to faithfully chronical the events
of interest in the community. 1t is de-
manded of him by the public, by the
people who pay for the paper, by those
who constitute the citizenship of the
community, and if he fails in his duty
the burden of censure falls upon his
shoulders alone. The public accepts no
excuse.
Editors are only human and are not
gifted with second sight They cannot
tell what is happening beyond their
range of hearing or vision, although
they are popularity supposed to know
everything and a little besides.
They must depend upon their eyes
and ears for every item of news that
appears in the paper, and in this they
should have the loyal cooperation of
every resident.
Courtesy extended to the editor of
the local paper is as bread cast upon
the waters. 1t bears fruit in many
folds.
Churches, societies, clubs, organiza-
tons of every nature expect the editor
to push their causes along, to give them
advance publicity, and after the events
to place them in proper light before
the public at large.
He is expected to boost everything
and everybody in the community, to
advertise the town and its advantages,
to guard its welfare all ways.
He, of course, is willing enough, but
it costs him time and money to do it.
and in return he is entitled to every
reasonable courtesy that can be ex-
/ tended to him. It is the universal law
of courtesy to the press.
Of course no well bred newspaper
man would think of accepting an invi-
tation-to private social affair unless
he felt sure his presence was really de-
sired for reasons of friendship.
But public and semi-public affairs are
on different plane. The editor is en-
titled to an invitation and tickets for
himself and lady and this rule is recog-
nized, though often forgotten.
In large cities no affair of any i'm
portance is ever given without tickets
being sent to the press. The result is
shown in the news columns.
And what applies to the large cities,
applies equally to the smaller towns
or it should so apply.
Every organization which gives a
public affair of any nature should re-
member the press-if it expects the
press to remember it in the proper man
ner.
Every church which gives a supper
should send along its complimentary
tickets-in fact, he is entitled to this
courtesy in relation to any public or
semi-public affair that is given.
His presence is highly desirable in
order that he may secure at first hand
the data necessary to proper reference
to the affair in the news columns in his
papers.
Editors all know this-but they, as q
rule, hesitate to ask for courtesies
which should be voluntarily extended
And the public, always well meaning
enough, is too prone to forget.
Thus it is that the public at large
the readers of the paper-suffer for the
delicacy of the editor and the thought
; lessness of others.
1t might be different, and it ought Il
be different.
And in time it may even be differen
if people will only pause long enough
: to place themselves in the editors posi-
ton and do little thinking.
1t may be that the editor of this pa
: per viii be too difident to publish thi
articl e, but hope not-for know tina
every well meaning person in the com
y munity will agree that I am right.
Major F. ". Barber, Guymon Herold