Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-03-12
sALEMs DUTY TO ITS NEWSPAPERS.

The CAPITAL Journal has had remarkable growth dur
ing the wear has been located in its new quarters 1t has
grown from circulation Of about 1000 to an average Of
300 and that with little special effort on part OF the
management go
We believe that this result has been due to the public
appreciation of clean newsy paper that is honestly try
ing to fill its field and serve the people as vehicle OF news
and information
The capital city of the state ought to have good news
papers-better than it has ever had In the past ms
should apply also to the morning field as well as that
which The Capital Journal occupies in the evening. We
have no desire build up at the expense OF competitor
if that competitor is worthy OF patronage which is mat
ter for the public to determine Salem and its surrounding
territory should be able to support both morning and
evening newspapers providing they are well and carefully
managed and if the people will apply the TRY Salem
First motto to their home papers
That the people generally willing and even anxious
to stand back of Salem newspapers when they measure up
to the proper standard is shown by the growth Of The
Capital Journals subscription list Hundreds OF people IN
Marion county have discontinued their Portland dallles
because they able to get the news of the world
along with the local news, in Salem paper Ihs puts the
question up to the business men whether they willing
to do their part There has been too little united
muny support behind the Salem papers in the past and
they have not been able to issue publications that would
properly fill the field Too much money is expended on
bill boards and other devices that are out Of place In city
of the preensions of Salem In doing this business men
work against their interests because lack of patronage
has crtaed the influence and usefulness of their news
papers the only recognized medium of legitimate public
intelligence in any community If Portland papers are
read extensively in Salem and vicinity business will
20 to the firms in the larger city who patronize their ad
etsng columns. AS the circulation of the local papers
extend over the territory which is relied upon to furnish
the trade for this city, the more certain that trade will be
to come here People will be attracted to the town where
their regular family newspaper is printed; that is
natural law of business For instance, the 1900 or 1000
farmers that have become regular readers OF The Capital
Journal in the past year more interested in Salem than
ever before and if our patronage ustfies it there will be
no difficulty in doubling this list by the end Of the present
year The business man. who by his advertising aids in
making Saems newspapers strong enough to go out and
cover the field which is theirs by right will help himself
directly by placing his business egitimatey before the
public and indirectly in assisting to build up the BUSINESS
of the city by cenerng the attention of the people in this
part of the valley Salem which by virtue of its location
and population, should be its commercial hub.
These are facts which many Salem business men have
overlooked outside newspapers never would have
cured the circulation and hold upon the field that they
have had in the past When the business do their
part in this respect they have right not only to expect
but to demand of the home newspapers that they come
up to the proper standard as mediums, and main
tanit
The Capital Journal is business institution and asks
nothing from the public orwhich does not give value
ceived 1t independent of any control except that
csed by its publisher and does not believe that its readers
or advertisers will always endorse its views on public
questions but ii expects to treat all subjects honestly and
all individuals fairly 1t purposes to occupy plane above
that which is based on personal anmositeS selfish in
erest We believe that is the kind of paper Salem needs
backed by the best possible local and general news service
that is available within its means.
This is great growing weather. anyway it is affecting