The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-02
rHAr You MAY KNOW

A few staunch ard loyal realtors of
the State Journal have taken keep
ton to an advertisement headed
Peace and signed by the Peoples
Council of America" appearing on the
last page of this paper last evening.
The State Journal ever sensitive to
the desires and complaints of IT'S big
family of readers, wishes to be placed
in the right light in this matte,
1t must be remembered tina the
"offense'' was an advertisement. pure
and simple. 1t was not printed as in
licative of the policy of this -ews-
paper or its editor and pubha her
who is on a short vacation now after
many weeks of patriotic service in
behalf of American military and pre-
paredness affairs in connection with
the Fort Riley training camps
This advertisement has beer run
ming in many newspapers and maya
z.nes in all parts of the United States.
IN handling the advertising the news
papers have proved their sincerity in
democracy-they are allowing the
people of all classes and beliefs the
privilege of making known their senti-
ments.
The State Journal always has prid-
cd itself in the text of it's advertise
ments. This paper has ENCOURAGED
and in many cases, demanded-good
clean advertising. Thousands OF dol
lars in ads have been rejected an
nually because the State Journal
stood first for the protection of its
readers against unreliable and dis
tasteful space demonstrations. The
physicians of this city and this state,
for instance, will testify to the 1udg-
ment of the State Journal in the print
ing of patent medicine inducements.
The Peace" advertisement is a
statement of the ideas of a certain
American organization. The names
SA6AC0 " lA1C az 1IlQ1CdIS that HAL
well known men are behind the L. ove-
ment. However, the State Journal
Joes not agree with the Peoples
Council of Americas plea. This pol
icy nevertheless does not excuse the
State Journal from not opening us ad-
vertising columns to the so called
Council" Despite our patriotism in
this country there is a sentiment
weak, it may be-for peace as against
war. Democracy is defeated il we
attempt to throttle it.
There are things appearing il the
news and advertising columns cf the
State Journal every day that do not
appeal to the papers sentiments. We
don't go wild over scores of ad lat
fractions" but there are people who
do. They should be and are entitled
to an opportunity of purchase We
don't sympathize with the mi lers in
southeastern Kansas who won't work
without beer, but it is news AID the
people have a right to know about it.
We cannot and will not discriminate
IN the manner of printing news as
long as it is news and the paper can
be of service to the varied subscribers.
The State Journal does not want its
readers to be misled into believing
that the Peace" advertisements as in
any way representative of STATE Jour-
al ideas or recommendations. We
have perfect fa...- in the ability our
thousands of level-headed readers
who can decide national matters for
themselves without the influence OF
an advertisement. We reserve our
editorial columns for the more seri-
US task of moulding public opir:on-
and we are thankful if we are of serv-
ICE to our country, our state ana our
city in that task