Evening journal., 1917-11-23
LABOR RECOMMENDS
TRUTH IN PUBLICITY
American Federation Plans
TO Counteract fhe Propa-
ganda OF Falsehood
INvOKES AID
OF THE COURTS

NEW York. Nov 3-Publicity for
the truth to counteract the propaganda
Of falsehood, and procedure for treason
against those who abuse the freedom
Of the press in order to cndangcr the
perpetuitS OF our Republic aud to un-
dermine our free institutions are the
methods recommended by tho EXecu-
tive Council Of the American Felera-
tion OF Labor for meeting the question
Of treatment of newspapers whose
views on the war are found objection
able by majority opinion The policy
lately pursued by the Administration
IS disapproved by Implication, though
not explicitly condemned: hu, the most
vigorous measures against serious of
Tenders are approved.
In its report submitted 90 ihe Buff
felo convention, the council has his 20
ssy on the question:
The conflict. almost inconccivably
gigantic. which is being vaged 10 make
the world safe for democracy. u.s. at
The same time, testing the efficiency
and reliability Of existing democratic
institutions. The situation develops a
number Of most dinlcuH problems. The
necessity FOR Immediate results crc9tes
situation IN which compulsion seems
90 have superior advantages, but the
methods and agencies of aul0cracy are
completely at Variance with democracy.
lis spirit and altitude of mind are cs-
tentially different 10 holds that com
pulsion is not an efficient method; (;
that the best permanent results can
not be obtained without the consent OF
The people For the wonderful adyan-
f4ges and opportunities which demOc-
racy affords some penalties are in
Cured. Tho mistakes of democracy re-
suit from the shortcomings of human
nature and Intelligence and from in
sufficient experience in the methods OF
freedom. The labor movement has al
veys contendel that the remedy is
more freedom greater opportunity for
educational development and expert
cnce.
One Of the especially pulzling prob
lens which confront our people today
S that connected with freedom of the
press. We know that in an AGES free
dom of the press has been the palla-
dium Of free institutions.
Freedom OF Expression.
The only environment I'm which
ffee Institutions can be maintained IS
generated through freedom OF expires
sion and press. Dnirammeled discus
sion is the only safe preliminary TO
determination of policy. All aspects and
relations of the proposition should be
considered. i'm national issues every
group and every citizen has The right
40 express his views and information
by exercising his constitutional right
40. Of ,.sr ] D. "a
convince his fellows at least his per-
sonality and his mentality are not re.
pressed, though he must yield to tn
q expressed will Of the majority.
y minority group suffering from in
jtStice can more readily obtain redres
when freedom OF speech exists. TN
uiinoriiy cause OF today becomes lh
accepted method of tomorrow.
Repression never removed any in
Justice or corrected an evil Restricted
expression results in constructed men.
tai development and vision.
The public press is the public forum.
II creates and directs public opinion.
Publicity calculated 10 mislead can be
cOunteracted by increased publicity for
truth. Not restricted discussion. but
more complete and enlightened discus
sion.
II any one abused the opporluni-
Tics Of freedom there are established
agencies FOR protecting free insliiu-
lions. Let those who speak or write
tfeasonable thoughts bc tried by the
courts.
we are enterinr upon an era that
iNin test our constructive Imagination
and untrammeled Thought TO the utter
most If ve take advantage OF the OF
portuniiies that will be- presented.
1unid expression and restricted discus
sion would be- a sorry preparation for
the new age VIC are entering
Those who are in hearts aud minds
democrats are apprehensive when we
soc democracy about to make mistakes
deplorec IN oulOcr8cy. While we recog-
llize the eXigencies Of war conditions.
1et we hold that democracy must be
more intelligent in meeting those needs
Than autOcracy has bgen.
<exoblemS Due 90 War.
"QAeNcr we recognize that war
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