Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-07-19
STATE AUDITOR:
Roy L. Wardwell
Mr.. Fasan's Second Letter.

Mr.. Faaan's Second Letter.
! ers once more. Mr.. Pagan isn't try
ing to get living by running news
paper but he is telling newspapers
readers what he thinks Of newspaper
in general and how much better they
would be if he could have the privilege
Of debating the policies and course Of
be better. we do not know; but one
thing we do know: Mr.. Pagan could
mot publish newspaper according to
his apparent high ideals and LIVE
and that is the first excuse for the ex-
iistence Of most newspapers.
Referring to Mr.. Fagans second
paragraph we would reply that if he
knew anything about the developments
in the newspaper business in the last
ten years he would understand why
the average editor suspects every
party who demands space for this or
for that. If Mr.. Pagan DOES know.
then he is unfair and dishonest. We
honestly believe. however that he is
ignorant of what he thinks he knows
all about. Here is the point
Does Mr. Pagan knt W that in the last
few years has grown up a system If
publicity by which commercial and
industrial concerns strive to beat the
newspapers and obtain advertising at
much lower cost than the standards
established by publishers and on which
they can live and let live? Does he
know that automobile makers AMI
sellers, land agents. railroads, city
boomers. and even the departments ce
government, employ high salaried
writer's to so present their advertising
IN such manner that editors will pub
hsh II as news. or, at least as GOOD
reading" and readers will enjoy the
reading and absorb the sophistry un-
consciously?
Does Mr.. Pagan know that New
York city has several such bureaus
that are putting out volumes Of good
reading (much Of it the most pre-
posterous STUFF every week in the
year-anything to attract attention to
New York or keep the name in the
minds and before the eyes of the peo-
pie Of the world? Does he know that
many sections of the West Northwest,
Southwest and Pacific slope maintain
large publicity bureaus for the purpose
Of keeping their particular sections be-
fore the readers OF newspapers and
magazines? Does he know that elab-
crate, illustrated articles are prepared
and sent TO newspapers FREE? Does
he know that the kennebec Journal
could every day fill a paper twice it's
size with good reading that wouldn't
cost II a cent and leave not an inch for
shipwrecks, fires. shark bites, Mexico,
vercun. politics or our Letter Box for
discussion" OF public questions?
We doubt II he knows much or in
deed anything about those things. Of
which we have given only brief out
line, yet he assumes that il we had
sense enough to select. as he would
select. from this mass of sophistry
our readers would know more abou.
the great Industrial questions" What
does Mr.. Pagan know about the at
tsntion" editors give to the stuff" that
comes to their desks. He pretends to
know ana indicts them on his sus-
picions-because he Doesn't know any
thing about it.
II Mr.. Pagan knew what the pub
Usher Of today is up against" unless
backed by unlimited capital, he would
be more charitable toward the average
chap who is grinding out an existence
from a public educator"
Mr.. Pagan does not ask to discuss 4
public question in our columns. but de-
snands space in which to tell our read
ers that they are being cheated. On
the same ground. he would walk into
department store and demand space In
. show window IN which to post a