The Washington times., 1918-08-07


and paricusrlv to the American Publishers Association
which appears to think that the editor and publisher
make enough money the press is doing remarkably well
and fulfilling its function thoroughly.
The Government authorities, following the suggestion
of publishers whose pocketbooks to Lave done the
talking have decided that the saving in white paper must
be made at the expense OF the columns winch ne PuDnc
finds news opinions, or recreation -,
There is to be no interference with advertising which
represents the sacred profits of the editor and publisher
AM emitting down of space must be at the expense Of
the reading public the columns to be saved must be taken
away from that part OF the paper for which the pH0 pays us
money.
Il this decision based on the request of the Publishers
Assocaon calculated to increase that dignity of the
about which rich publishers talk when they are not busy
adding up last weeks profits? =.
Did the trainers of the Constitution guarantee freedom
Of the press in order make certain that nothing would be
cut off the profits of the newspaper owner? ,s .,.,
have guaranteed freedom of the grocery store and OF every
thing else in which dollar Of profit and loss Is involved
This newspaper repuiates the suggestion and request
Of the Publishers Association that the Of the United
States be put in the position of thinking only about adyer
ing and profits utterly Indifferent to the right and interest
of the readers and Indifferent absolutely to the thought that
underes the constitutional guarantee Of newspaper free
dom.
newspaper does three things and they all impor
First it publishes the newsthat the readers may form
Second it publishes the opinion of the editor represent
ing he hone-what he believes to be the welfare OF his
generally.
Third newspaper publishes advertisements the prof.
table money making end of the newspaper business.
This also is highly important work For wise econom
cal buying and the concerning it vital to prosperity
The possibility of telling all of the people OF an 1mpor
tnt commercial fact at time essential to the develop
ment of industries the building of manufactures and OF
new industrial ideas.
Merchants manufacturers great American industries
the employees who live those industries have to rely
pubcy-whch is the advertising column OF the news
paper-to an extent that is scarcely appreciated.
sudden violent interference with business announce
mens in newspapers would be disastrous Great should
be taken readusting that which has be the most
important part of American business life
Merchants and manufacturers, however would be the
first to acqesce in any rules limiting advertising space any
gradual wise regulation that may be decided upon as neces
sary
but the publishers controlled by avarcousness that have
represented the newspapers of the United States caring
only for the money that they make the cash that in
through the advertising columns and caring nothing about
those parts of the newspaper that represent its character
its real value, and its service to the public.
The action of the publishers, saying Do anything you
like but please don't touch pockebooks would be
worthy Of tbrdcass pawnbroker and the Government
should have paid no attention to it.
Government should say to the editors "Think of
your profit the cash you each year. that the writers
Of the Constitution had in mind when they guaranteed you
freedom from Interference
And the Government Should say to the editor "You
have used in the last three months much white paper
the average per month each Hereafter until further
orders you will use so much less every MONTH The Gov
nment leaves to the editor and his sense of decency
decide whether he will cheat his readers in favor of his
pocketbook or like other Americans accept loss in profit
with good grace and his readers faithfully
possible
For the Publishers Association to say "spare our
pockets don't interfere with the pennies that take in
the counter and do anything else you like is worthy
of many of those pubsher-but about poor example
of meannes spiritual and financial has been before
this country since the war began
It may be repeated that this newspaper The Washing
ton Times is that ought to take the stand taken here
in vewo the fact that its increase in advertising under its
present ownership been hundred per greater
than that of any other newspaper in the United States
ARTHUR BRISBANE.