Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-10-01

anteed to give perfect satisfaction or
nothing to pay.
sep24-26-oct1
essarily large paper and in envelopes
twice as large as required. Why this
waste, while the w. l. B. is telling
grocers how to save paper?
The other letter from the Agri.
Dept. was large sheet telling What
the Agricultural Department Is Do
ing"
from the Federal Food Administra-
ton, three from the Treasury Depart
ment. one from the Department CT
Commerce. one from the Department
Of Labor, one from the Department of
the Interior. one from the U. S. Rail-
road Administration, w. G. McAdoo
director general.
All these are from various depart
ments Of the government. and to
these are added about a bushel of
publicity begging letters from vari-
Gus business interests knowing pic
lures, automobile makers and sellers,
American Sugar Trust, beef trust,
New England Fish Exchange, Petro-
leum boomers, etc, etc. and from all
kinds of philanthropic, relief ard war
work organizations. including Red
Cross, Y. M. c. A., X. of c., American
Defense Society. National Security
League and half dozen letters IF
various "Oficial Bulletin Services
from Italian. Russian and Far East
bureaus in New York.
Talk about waste of paper! Not
one-thousandth part Of this mass Of
truck ever sees printed page or is
worthy Of it, or is even reliable in
formation. Much Of it is biased by
selfish purpose and deserves what it
gets-the waste basket Much Of it
is interesting and much would be
used by newspapers if they had space
for more than vital news.
The government itself is the worst
offender and wastes tons of paper
daily in accomplishing savings of
pounds.
The savings brought about in all
manner of waste are magnificent for
the people. but why do government
departments indulge all the old
wasteful practices and increase them
a hundred fold while lampooning the
public to save.
Newspapers cannot hire extra
clerks to read all the rot now cncum-
boring the mails. Most of it receives
not a glance. It's character is known
at a glance-same old space-begging
stuff; somebody Uncle Sam with the
rest) wants something for nothing.
The newspapers are expected to give
it at the same time they are restrict
ed in news space by government de-
cree.
If we were to make suggestion
that would appeal to the heart Of ev-
cry publisher, and ought to be adopt
ed by every publisher, until the de-
partments Of government and all
their 1901 bureaus and branches, and
about a million other space beggers
wake up, we should recommend that:
No communication from any pub.
LEFTY bureau, department advertising
scheme, or other known space
eine organization shall receive atten-
ton in a newspaper office unless
stamped on the wrapper, "Paid Ad-
vertisine."
The prohibition should extend dur
ing the war. Let newspapers collect
what they want Of the news" in this
mass of stuff so enormously wasted.
If you ask about the meritorious
campaigns like war loans. Red Cross
and the like, we answer you with the
organizations perfected for that pur-
pose. They are sufficient and they
deal with the Newspapers direct and
in a practical way-all the other de-
partmental advertising of individuals,
and address collecting schemes are
waste.
Cut it all out!