New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-10
Nv MERLE THORPE.


Head OF the School Of Journalism, University Of
Kansas, and president Of the American Con-
ference Teachers Of Journalism.
~ HAVE been asked to write Of some OF
the tendencies in American journalism
and the relation OF schools OF journalism
70 the development Of newspaper work
in the United States
Journalism. along with big business, legal
and medical practice, education and even
government itself, has not been overlooked IN
the present day popular sport OF social vvi-
section.
While most Of the critics Of the newspaper
have been sincere, not few are "hreside
critics" who lack tina, sympathetic viewpoint
which comes only with an intimate under
standing of the conditions under which news
papers are made Such fault-hnding has been
worse than worthless because it has served
TO arouse in the practical newspaper man a
cvnicisn, or at least an apathy, towaId al
well-meaning efforts at constructive criticism
The worst offender has been the man who
continually harks back 70 the grand old Gays
Of Greeley, and who has not recently seen
copy of the old Tribune, or who fails utterly
70 appreciate how impossible II would be ior
the newsless violently partisan journals OF the
SOS 70 find place in our present day liie'
which is not confronted by any great moral
crisis.
Journalism Is infinitely more purposetul to-
6av than ever before, and because 1t has
assumed greater responsibility, tacitly aoquies-
cling as il has, that it IS a quasi-publc utility
!, offers itself. in the very nature OF the case
an easy target for wholesale criticism. Inc
purely personal business undertaking. admit
tedly run on selfish principles, may be attacked
for violations Of the law. but until recently
no one has thought 70 attack the motives OF
tradesmen and artisans. But when a business
announces that it is professional IN spirit that
us object primarily is 70 serve then It invites
a more searching analysis. To be sure the
gray newspaper, blowing neither hot nor coio'
Ike the gray individual, receives little OF
prsise or censure while the dynamic press, the
nurposeful press. openly heralding its purpose
20 serve its community and state lays itseii
omen 20 a daily scrutiny OF its methods ana
motives BY every thinking and, sad TO say
every unthinking citizen.
PLETHORA OF HURRY-UP LEGISLA-
TON, STATE AND NATIONAL.
One OF the effects OF having the searchhgnt
turned upon journalism is plethora OF hurry
Nm legislation. both state and national, offered
nv eager reformers looking TO the regulation
Of the press. At least twenty states consid-
cred newspaper regulation in one form or an
other last wear. while Congress has had before
i several bills designed TO the same end. Most
Of the proposed state legislation had to do
with advertising. The Illinois Legislature con
sidered plan to license newspaper men mueh
after the manner that doctors and lawyers
are licensed. In another state bill was pro
posed which provided for state board TO
handle all cases Of newspaper errancy, and IN
Colorado the people were asked to vote on
\ the question of placing the press under control
! Of a utilities commission. Congress, IN the
y teeth Of newspaper opposition, has required
newspapers 70 publish twice q year sworn
statements Of ownership and TO label all paid
matter advertisement Another bill was
introduced 10 place the telegraph wires OF the
country under the Commerce Commission
with the obvious intent Of dissolving the Asso-
ciated Press The government, through the
Postofice Department, has made stringent
regulations as 10 the publication OF sworn cir
ouIstion statements. Senator Works, Of Cali