Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-19
The Proposed Postage Increase.

The Proposed Postage Increase.
Last Tuesday the United States Sem
ate had a lively debate on the post Of
nee appropriation bill. Sensational
charges were made against great and
rich advertising concerns in contract
with the government and some of the
country's largest newspapers which &C
cepted the advertising and suppressed
the vital part OF facts offered by gov
eminent officials. In this debate Sena-
tor Fernaid Of Maine made his maiden
speech opposing suspension of the
rules to let in reckless provisions for
increasing postage on second class
matter.
Senator Fernald said he had hoped
TO remain in his seat throughout the
session; that ne had determined not to
arise 70 discuss any proposition, but
duty compelled him to raise his voice
when he saw hardship about to be in
Hicted upon an industry Of the State
he represented. He called attention to
the meaning of increased postage on
newspapers a. this time when the small
newspapers OF the country are fighting
for their very existence-the meaning
that many OF them must cease their
struggles altogether or increase their
subscription price so largely as to rob
many a family in rural communities of
their daily paper.
Senator Fernald paid a handsome
tribute TO the value of the country
dailies and wecklies in their great
moral political and religious influence
upon the American people. He said
the proposed action would promote
just what he and other senators were
there 10 monopoly. He said
that the effect of the proposed postage
Increase would result in "A few large
papers in place of hundreds of smaller
daily papers now found in the homes
OF farmers and rural communities: that
when the field of the great newspaper
monopolies had been cleared of the
mighty influence of the local press SER
vice whose editors are familiar with all
Of the affairs of their districts: whose
columns provide the latest market
quotations: whose daily visit is the
greatest educational institution and
public safety valve that civilization
knows-then the big newspapers would
boost their prices far above present
rates, and the people would have to
pay.
Senator Fernald voted against sus-
pension of the rules and the motion
was not agreed to. 81 to "a.
II may be remembered by some of
our readers that when the low rate Of
postage was established it was done to
promote the very thing that has been
accomplished-to build up a great edu-
cational, uplifting factor. and the
people were willing to pay for it, The
government did not expect it to become
a money making scheme for that de-
partmcnt of service. but a civilization
builder. 1t has worked out true to the
hope of its constructors
And right here is the most significant
part OF the enterprise: The publishers
OF newspapers did not pocket the re-
duetion but gave il to the public in the
full spirit Of the conception.
Today the daily newspaper reaches
into the remote cabins of farmers min
I
from hand to hand. with its volumes of
general information, it's inspiriting
maxims. ITS yeast of intelligence. and
its awakening to hope and enterprise
OF slumbering talent. The same may
be said OF the weekly papers in their
smaller service.
In the debate of Tuesday Senator
Hitchcock OF Nebraska said:
DO you think that the subscribers OF
these papers, who have been getting
them at the low price for the last few
years. are going to he content to see their
subscription prices increased 81 a year. as
they probably will be If this is put in
effect. and az they must be? The fact is
well known today throughout the country
that thousands of publications are In
serious straits because the cost of print
paper has been violently advanced 50, 60.
or even 20 per cent. This year there are
newspapers and magazines and weekles
and monthlies upon the ragged edge OF
bankruptcy because OF the increased cost
In the price OF paper. Many Of the wiser
ones have already advanced their rates
others may he compelled TO do So For
the others that are attempting to meet
the situation. that are attempting still
10 bridge over the serious difficultes that
confront them: that are still attempting
TO maintain the cheap 81 year rate, or
~ year rate. for the siX-day paper,
shall IL he made impossible for them to
10 so by this violent increase in the price
u postage without hearing, without
warning. simply because the president of
some weekly publication has informed
the Post once Committee that he is
willing TO concede II?
II the able and patriotic gentlemen OF
the L. s. Senate would bear in mind