Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-01-24
Vt. EDITORS FOR
EFFICIENCY IN WAR
Press Assn with Administration
but Demands Speed in Get.
ting after Kaiser.

Middlebury, Jan. 1S.-The best meeting
of the Vermont Press association in years,
according to the general verdict, begun
here to-day with Middlebury College, was
made memorable by the visit of DR.. Tai
colt Williams, dean of the Columbia Uni
yersity School Of journalism, and his
ringing address on the service and duty
of the American newspapers in connec-
ton with the assailing of liberty Of the
press for the whole world by the Kaiser.
This sentiment was supplemented by the
adoption of platform by the Vermont
editors pledging support for every effec-
tive move by the national and State ad-
mini~tration for the prosecution CT the
war but demanding a speeding up Of the
war activities of the federal government.
The opening session in the afternoon
was held in Hepburn hall, with President
Belknap presiding, and with w. II.
Crockett as acting secretary. Others
present at the sessions were Frank T.
Howe of the Bennington Banner. Otto r.
Bennett of the Manchester Journal, F. e.
Langley of the Barre Times. w. II. Gilpin
of the Barton Monitor, F. B. johnson OF
the Springfield Reporter, c. T. Walter and
w. j. Bigelow of st. Johnsbury, L. B.
Johnson of the Randolph Herald, l.. p
Thayer of the Morrisville Messenger, II
c. Rice and Il. II. Crane of the Brattle-
boro Reformer, II. L. Hindley Of the Rut-
land Herald, F. T. Fairfield Of the Rutland
News, M. w. Wilson of the Bristol Herald
w. II. Wheeler Of the Vergennes Enter
prise, C. Z. Crane of the Middlebury
Register, c. w. Upham and J. H. Lawton
of the Burlington Daily News, NJ. c.
Reynolds of the Essex Syndicate, Post
master p. C. Dodge of Randolph, w. A
Myers of the Hays Advertising Agency
Alfred Archer, general sales manager. and
T. p. Quinn, New England salesman OF
the Merganthaler Linotype company. and
IT, L. Southwick of the Burlington Free
Press.
The afternoon program included an ad-
dress by Editor Fairfield of Rutland on
the kind Of editorials that make read
ers. He showed that the editor should
use discrimination in directing public
criticism in order not to open the way
to abuses of liability to attack by un-
scrupulous individuals.
An interesting letter from D. NJ. Rose
Of the Enosburg Standard, who could
not be present dealing with ways Of in
creasing financial receipts, was read by
request by w. ]. Bigelow. L. p. Thayer
concerned were promoted by co-opera-
ton of the publishers with the adver-
tisers, with the readers and with each
other.
NJ. c. Reynolds discussed some Of the
foolish things done by different papers,
pleading guilty himself, and closing with
a telling showing as to how different
States pay for much public printing which
the Vermont papers do for approximately
nothing.
l.. B. johnson and H. L. Hindley made
stirring appeals in connection with the
duty Of the Vermont press in time Of war.
Some of the information they disclosed
is not allowed in public by the press
censor. but the united testimony was that
the United States should get into this
war in earnest.
President Thomas personally conducted
a party of visitors to the different struc-
lures which adorn the large campus after
which fine repast was served to the
visitors by the Middlebury students in
the beautiful dining hall of Hepburn hall.
At one of the sessions President Belk-
nap In accordance with a motion appoint
ed W. ]. Bigelow. NJ. w. Wilson and c. T.
Fairfield committee on nominations. Al
subsequent meeting the committee de-
cided to recommend the reelection OF
President Belknap, the choice Of Editor
Crane of Middlebury as secretary and the
selection of a vice-president from each
county.
The evening session included an address
Of welcome by President Thomas, who
gave a brief history of Middlebury Col.
lege. After speaking of the extent &c
which the war had cut into Middlebury at
we'll as all other institutions he appealed
for aid in raising in Vermont $4,000 as
part Of an addition Of the $500 900 to the
endowment fund which would help tide
| over the war period
DR.. Talcott williams was greeted b,
a large audience in Meade Memoria
chapel No summary could afford any
adequate idea of this eloquent discus
sion. He spoke Of the character OF
the American press; its tribulations ir
the cololial period. its patriotic serv.
ives in the war and the way in which
1t is now responding to the nation.
necessities. He contrasted the free
press of America with the suppressed
newspaper of Germany showing how
, the Kaiser Is a partner In the KrupI
works, in banking and other institu.
! lions and Is using public funds to sub
sidize papers not only in Germany bu
also in America. The auditorium wa.
filled with students, and the college
chorus and orchestra and pipe Orgar
added splendid music to the enjoyment
of the meeting.
DEMANDS OF VERMONT EDITORS.
The declaration of principles and
aims reported from the committee or
resolutions by Frank e. Howe and ]
l.. Southwick, was reported by Mr.
| SOuthwick. is as follows:
The members of the Vermont Press
association are moved by changing world.
| conditions to make a restatement of oul
aims Progress brings need Of readjust.
ment to new Surroundings, but the funda.
mental principles of Journalism are as
abiding as our eternal hills.
Freedom of the press ia our first Law
of preservation. An honest and in
corruptible press is the price of public
| confidence. An unmuzzled and fearless
press remains the chief cornerstone OF
democratic liberty and intelligent self
government. An energetic and aggres
sive press Is a prime factor in the prog
ress of community, State and nation
This creed Is the irreducible minimum FOL
an independent. self-respecting press
The exemplification Of these principle,
ia the high calling of our profession.
The first duty of the newspaper is Il
the community and commonwealth. tt
these II owes it's means OF existence. AL
lee,ance TO both town and State is al
times nerplexing In the broadcast sense
NJ welfare the smaller and the larger
domains are inseparable. The newspa
nor cannot promote the commonweal IL
either without aiding In the other.
we believe In Vermont. We glory In ou