New-York tribune., 1918-04-22
II. Y. Publishers
Oppose Zoning
I'm Postal Law
Statute, They Declare, Will
Aid German Propa-
gandists>
Ask Delay During War
Proposed Changes Will In
volve Advertisers and
Disturb Business
Ask Delay During War

York City, representing the daily news
papers of New York and Brooklyn, has
adopted the following:
"Thc new postal law effective July /,
1918. especially the zoning provision,
will greatly hamper and cmbarrass
newspapers in the dissemination or
news at time when information re-
garding the progress of the war and
the participation Of American troops
is most vitality important to citizens in
every part of the United States. There
are few families not represented in the
army or navy. Every citizen. in con-
sequence, desires to know each day of
all movements of American soldiers
and American ships permitted publica-
ton. Newspapers published IN the
larger cities, with their facilities Tor
gathering and printing abe news, and
their financial ability to pay for news
sent by cable. can most adequately
meet the demand Of ia nlies that have
relatives in war service for what is, to
them especially. abe most important
information of the day. The Zoning
provision OF the law will restrict the
distribution of daily newspapers of
large circulation and shut off from
millions of people Important news re-
~garding the events of the war.
Will Promote Sectioralism
The tendency of the zone provisions
of the new law will be to create zones
of thought which will operate as
stimulant to the promotion of section
alism, greatly to be discouraged at any
time, and especially when the nation is
engaged in war for the defence of its
ideals and it's liberty. Artificial areas
will be created and publications issued
therein will have very little circulation
outside. This will result in the limita-
change of expressions of public opinion
and thought throughout the United
States. Instead of public opinion
throughout the country being a unit in
its relation to the war, there will be
as many divergent views as there are
populous postal zones, with resulting
confusion, division and dangerous con-
fict OF opinion. The wide circulation
of many publications has a broadening
effect upon people in all parts of the
country and tends to unite public opin-
ion in support of the government in its
measures to carry on the war 1t is
of the utmost Importance for the whole
country 70 COHSIOef tHe INTERESTS VI Cile
nation as whole and to give less
thought to the convenience and selfish
interests of any particular section. The
interchange OF ideas throughout the
West and South through the circulation
Of newspapers and magazines published
in the East. and of publications issued
in the West throughout the East. is an
exceptionally strong unifying influence.
The contact of editors with their more
remote subscribers keeps the manage
ment of newspapers constantly on the
alert to guard against the expression of
narrow sectional views. The zone sys-
tenn will restrict distribution and cut
off large numbers of subscribers in
zones remote from the place of pub
l:cation.
Will Shut Out Newspapers
Not yet have the American people
been fully aroused to the danger which
threatens their rights and liberties. In
large cities and their vicinity there is
enthusiasm and loyal determination to
uphold the government and carry on the
var to victory. In remote and isolated
fural localities which exist in nearly
all states there are many citizens who
are not fully informed regarding the
reasons for the United States entering
the war Their facilities for obtaining
information are limited. Their local
papers are uOI ilUduCidily awe w PiS-
sent full news reports. The indiffer-
cnce of these communities is being
changed by the leaven of the dailies of
the larger cities, now being read more
than ever before throughout the coun
try. The zones created by the new law
will largely shut out the newspapers of
larger circulation and permit the de-
veiOpment of narrow views and spirit
of indifference, which will affect enlist
in and alo tho
Z operation of the selectiye service law
more difficult, lessen the production Of
provisions and impcrl the success Of
the United States in the war.
Postal zones viii make it easier for
me propaganda OF the enemy. In zones
yhere the population is largely alien
n thought the limitation on the en-
rance OF outside opinion and infor-
nation into these zones will encour-
,ge the development of sentiment in
lmical to the purposes OF the govern
: pent. seriously affecting the morale
u 1f the people, with a consequent in
auence upon soldiers and sailors
whose homes are in such zoneg.
Whatever the financial results to
transportation corporations may be,
from governmental control Of railroad
and steamship lines, involving geat
changes IN transportation currents, the
United States government has guaran-
iced tc owners Of railroads and steam
ships that they shall suffer 10 hnau-
ciai loss. In the case Of newspaper
publishers and owners of other inter
ests connected with the publishing in.
dus.ry. az we'll az other lines Of busi-
ncss affected by the provisions Of the
zone postal law. there is no expccta-
rion Of emergency financial aid. Great
manufacturing and mercantile trades
are forced to meet radical changes,
which limit business territory and cir
cumgcribc circulation and distribution
involving unknown losses, without spe-
e;sl financial support.
Will Distribute Business
Advertisers nov seek business in
every part OF the United States through
announcements in newspapers and
other publications. by methods and
along lines we'll established. cxpending
millions Of dollars annually On their
advertising The radical changes in
yeIycd In the zone law viii create
great disturbance Of the present meth
DDS Of general business. Complicated
With the adjustments now being made
20 conform 10 war changes in tran3-
pOrtation and in the concentration Of
manufacturers on war s1pplieg. there
will be an effec. on business which may
prove digastrouy.
The physical condition. in the Post