Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-26
Why q Special Tax?

support OF the press VI INC A>oeAoh
the hope Of those in charge. that II
would be a popular loan would not
have been realized. The untiring
efforts Of the newspapers through
out the campaign were a constant
inspiration to the various other
groups Of workers. At time when
news space was at premium the
Liberty Loan was featured at
length.
newspapers and magazines, in
their news, editorial, and advertis-
ing columns, fought for the success
Of the loan every step Of the way.
The foreign-language press. in 80
languages. gave daily proof of the
undoubted loyalty of peoples OF
foreign birth"
WILLIAM G. MCADOO,
Secretary Of the Treasury.
Her Frederick D. Gardner. govern
or Of Missouri, has been shown; he
says:
LAS a public man, my opinion or the
motives Of the newspapers is that they
ere pure in the main. I have found
that the press labors for the better
ment Of mankind and the public In
general. I have found that each ana
every piece of constructive legislation,
and every progressive movement
which have advocated have had the
support Of the newspapers Of all
shades Of political belief. Indeed, the
partisan newspaper is now almost
thing Of the past. It is particularly
pleasing to the people to note the
unanin1ity Of the press in supporting
both the national and state govern
ments in the present crisis"
A recent cartoon in the St. Louis
Globe Democrat sets forth the point in
this striking manner: Uncle Sam Is at
the helm Of an automobile. On the
running board stands a soldier wear
ing a banner Enlist in the Army"
Seated in the car is banker with a
banner BUY Liberty Bond; then a
nurse, wearing, Help the Red Cross:
on the other running board Jackie
with, THE Navy Needs You. and a
marine with, Join the L. S. Marines"
Down in front Of the car is a clerical
looking individual about to Crank
the car. He is marked The Press
Today every paper Of the country,
daily. weakly, Sunday. is doing its
level best for the Red Cross. If the
war goes on, another bond issue must
be sold by the press, and another Red
Cross fund must be raised in a few
months. Every branch of the govern
rnent service depends upon the press
to carry its needs to the people.
AZ the governor Of Missouri says,
there are no partisan newspapers now
ali may criticise, any may command,
but loyalty to the nations interests
underlies every utterance according to
the writer's understanding.
In addition to the main result, that
Of selling the two billion dollar bond
issue and the equally important result
Of placing the bonds in every section
Of the country and among all classes
OF Americans, the campaign for the
sale Of the Liberty Loan Bonds has
had a great educational value.
The people Of the United States are
much better informed now Of their
Governments finances and methods of
finance than ever before. Hundreds
Of thousands Of people whose idea of
Government bonds was vague and in
definite are now not only possessors of
Liberty 1,,,+ In hot a
Government bond is and the peculiar
worth and value Of such securities.
In an age charged with being selfish,
soIdid. and commercial, there has
grown up and developed the greatest
organization for unselfsh service the
world has ever seen-the American
Red Cross. The growth Of the Red
Cross Society is evidence not to be
controverted that the spirit of service
is strong in the hearts Of the people
today. The work of the society dem
onstrates that there are thousands
who are willing to devote their serv-
ices TO humanity. and the support CIV
SH tLSii1 ny voluntary contributions
shows that there are hundreds of
thousands more who are willing to de-
vote a portion Of their means to the
Alienation OF suffering.
How much of all this is due to the
unselflsh endeavors Of the press, is
known everywhere. Why. then. should
the press be singled out for a special
tax as though It were an evil that
must be licensed to be tolerated, like a
lottery. or a saloon. or a disorderly
house?
First was offered a second-class
postage rate that would have been
prohibitive upon newspaper circula-
ton In parts OF the country remote
from the seat Of publication. Then
came . proposed two percent. tax
upon advertising receipts for the pur-