Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1915-01-16

Under the title of Newspaper ownership Gov
e1nor Hunt in his message to the legislature said:
The phenomenal growth of the public press during
the past decades, and the direct relationship
which newspaper bears 10 our social ana
economic systems render it inevitable that all pub
hcations general circulation and especially those
which are daily should be regarded as quasi
public institutions
The word quasi public has caught our eye
and refreshed memory, and the conviction is
forced upon us that there two ways. in the
opinion CT the governor in which newspaper may
be regarded as a quasi-pupic institution. Two
years ago when it proposed in the Legislature
to limit the rate of legal publications to figure
considerably lower than the then existing rate and
the present rate. and still higher than the CONNER
cial rate any paper in this state, the governor
in message protested against the proposed reduc
ton ON ground that the newspaper
than a private enterprise but quasi public
institution, capable of performing service TO
a state and should, therefore, be treated with lib
crafty A quasi public institution in the mind of
the governor at that time, was newspaper in ac-
cord with the policies of an existing administration,
either for principle lucre. We thought at the
time, but refrained saying 50, that the gov
had failed to observe very broad distnc-
ton between the newspaper quasi public in
sttuton and administration organ.
The quas-public institution to which the gov
refers in his latest message is different
kind of institution which, though he does
so. is which opposes the policies of the admin
isration and is, therefore, not only entitled TO
high rates for printing but deserves only to be pill
loried in order that the people may and know
just what kind institution it is.
The governor had in publicity o owner
ship, which is by no means new, but is rather
necessary in this country under state laws since
the federal law requires it and has done for the
last two years Under the federal law, newspapers
publish twice annually all facts concerning them
selves which the government believes may be of
interest or value to the public. The Republican has
always welcomed this opportunity for publicity and
has usually if not in every instance. printed its
statement on It's first page in conspicuous type.
The required statement forth the identity of
the owners and the and liabilities the
paper, and the names of persons and firms having
claims against it, that the public may be appraised
of whatever influences there may be behind it, and
for the benefit of its advertisers there included
statement of its circulation
We could have objection the enactment
by the Legislature of law requiring a similar pub
lshed statement, but would go farther than the
governor has and farther than the federal law
goes, and require authority to ascertain
whether these published statements are true. Under
the federal law these statements are no more val
liable for any purpose than the oaths of the
who to them, and the oath of no man is
more valuable than his simple word unless he fears
that perjury may be detected and punished Under
the federal law there is danger of detection and
fear of punishment.
no
that he will definitely recommend the appointment
of some authority, more suitably, some authority
tached to the office of the auditor 10 nvesti-
gate all newspaper statements as to ownership
liability circulation etc, and that severe punish
ment for making false statements be prescribed
The governor cannot urge too vigorously news
paper publicity measure, which would insure a.
publication of only the facts and the facts And
will him the support of this paper
Vicious and Probably Valid