The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1917-09-27
) WHAT THE GOVERNMENT
ASKS OF THE PRESS.
By FRANK KAY ANDERSON
Publisher Haines City Ella.
Harald

- 49, 80 4 + + 80 = Z = = + T. +
1.-THE Country Publishers Side of It.
That the publisher memorize what
is apparently the motto of all depart
ment heads in Washington, "provid-
ed that such publication as news shall
entail no expense to the department. :"
That in each issue there shall ap-
pear
One column boosting recruiting at
the expense of the publisher, that the
postmaster may have occupation
furnishing letters to possible recruits
in order that he 1.-THE postmaster)
shall receive SIS per head for those
accepted.
One column boosting the liberty
loan at the publishers expense, that
sundry patriots may LEND money to
the government and receive a nice
button to wear in their lapels to test
ify to their action; PROVIDED that
there shall be no restriction on the
publishers wife to prevent her hav-
ing inscribed on publishers tomb
stone after he has gone to an early
grave try ing to meet his bills, testi-
flying that the publisher GAVE his
bread and butter in the form of news
paper space to the government of the
country he loved; provided that such
inscription shall entail no expense to
any department of the government.
One column devoted to national
parks in other portions of the coun-
try than where the publisher resides.
/ Five columns of agricultural mat
ter, including full directions on how
to eat cottage cheese by a govern
ment expert, at the expense of the
publisher
Two columns for local exemption
board, at the expense Of the publish
er. -
One column for canning club
agent, who will shed tears on floor if
space is not given, as it is necessary
to maintain interest in the work so
the said canning club agent shall con-
tinue on the job.
Two to fourteen columns for bureau
of ancient history of the committee
on publication information, to the
end that the governments consump-
ton of white paper may be stimulat-
ed, so that paper shall not become
too cheap.
One-half column for the civil ser
vice commission.
Two columns specially prepared
advertising matter to create personal
prestige for Mr.. Hoover,
Four columns miscellaneous mat
ter, not provided for in the above.
All necessary e-enforcements of
the publishers wastebasket to care
for government publications not in
cluded in the above shall be made at
the expense of the publisher.
The country publisher, having lots
of time on his hands, shall also CO.
operate with the secret service divis-
, ion in securing such information as
that service shall wish in the publish
er's territory.
The country publisher shall at all
times maintain calm and cheerful
demeanor. When the price on paper
supply advances beyond the scanning
bounds of reason, however, he shall
be entitled to letter from the Fed
eral Trade Commission advising that
such price is, in its opinion, unreason-
able, but that the publisher must
take the matter into the courts to
obtain redress. Any and all-expense
of such suggested court procedure,
however, shall be at the expense of
the publisher.
The publisher should remember
that the newspaper practice of elimin-
ating the word 'tMr." before proper
names is now unnecessary. 1t is
anticipated that by 1880 the paper
supply will be plentiful and cheap;
therefore publishers should be care
full to give to each person mentioned
in government publications the title
Of "Mr.," following the example of
the committee on public information.
Publishers should cultivate the
spirit of optimism. If the price of lin
otype metal shall appear to advance
unnecessarily high the publisher will
do we'll to focus his thoughts on the
sufferings of Job and tie his writing
hand behind him, while fastening his
mouth together with clothepin.
If any publisher shall feel any dis
appointment because the enthusiasm
of the people for the prosecution of
the war seems to wane he should re-
member it is none of his business.
The mere fact that any publisher
might have had progenitors in the
war of the Revolution, the war of
1912, the Mexican war and the civil
war and may suffer under the delu-
sion that he would like to be Of help
to the country he thinks he loves does
not entitle him to do other than as is
commanded of him and to sit still in
the boat.
The publisher must at all times
bear in mind
That he knows nothing about the
publishing business.
That he knows nothing about
molding public opinion.
That he nor any other newspaper
or advertising man knows anything
of these things.
That Collin Armstrong really
knows nothing about advertising, nor
does William H. Rankin, nor any
other person who may simply have