Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-04
Unfair TO tho Ncwsno,,,rs

CONGRESS. through its passage OF the
- second-class postal law. which will be-
come operative on July unless it's operation
is suspended, has struck damaging blow at
the newspapers Of the United States, and
through them at the heart of the very cause
ii is seeking to advancc-cflcient prosecution
OF the war. Perhaps there was no anmus
back of the enactment of the law although
evidences have been plentiful that the makers
CT the daily press have their enemies among
the lawmakers, who might not be averse to
Il curbing of their free activities But grant
that the measure framed purely as q
producer Of revenue, then il was so hastily
done and without that knowledge that could
have bc,n secured only by a careful investi-
cation. .hat the result is as the Newspaper
Publishers Association recently described it,
a law unavoidable in practice and most un-
fair and oppressive to the newspapers OF the
country and the general public"
For years more or less spirited con-
trovcrsy has ragged over the amount Of post
age paid by newspapers The publishers
never have asked. and never have wanted. any
favors from the government, but they have
insisted that they were paying their way in
ample amount for all postal facilities
ceived AS an instance it may be cited that
daily newspaper with circulation of $4,000
subscribers pays approximately 100000
year in postage. Under the new law this
would be increased by many thousands OF
dollars annually. Again, the government
formerly was wont to look upon the daily
newspapers an aid to good government
rather than merely rcvenue-producng in
sti!utions. Their columns contributed TO the
enlightenment and education CT the people.
and in this knowledge of their public help
iulness there was no disposition on the part
of otica ldom to he picayunish in cxacting the
last penny possible through the leverage OF
the postal law.
That day seems to have passed Despite
the fact that the daily press to-day is at the
very height OF It's usefulness to the nation:
despite the fact that the newspapers since
war was declared have contributed, and are
contributing, millions OF dollars worth of
their space-thc only commodity they have
to sell--to government purposes without hope
of reward except in the satisfaction OF loyal
sacrifice and helpfuness, and without their
freely given assistance the three Liberty loans
could not have been hoated and scores Of
other patriotic projects carried to successful
conclusions. the new postal law has been
framed with so little regard for their in
tercsts that many Of them will be forced to
the verge Of bankruptcy, to say nothing OF
the Inconvenience and almost impossibility
of living up to the letter Of the statute. This.
added to the present newsprint situation and
the soaring costs OF labor and ma erials. puts
up 10 the puDlSnerS Il pTODlem OIL existence.
Under the requirements OF the new law,
zone system with increased charges is estab-
liShed and discriminatory rates fixed on
reading matter and advertisements. For
each and every issue of newspaper there
must be the incest calculation TO determine
how many pounds Of each are offered for
mailing. 1t is this impracticablc requirement
that has aroused the opposition OF the pub
fishers and driven them 10 ask for the laws
modification. 1t is not conceivable that the
government wishes deliberately to hamper the
press. 1t is admitted to be the greatest
force contributing every hour in the day to
the success OF the war but if il is to con-
tinue its effective work. it must have fair
play from Congress. IIam-stringing it
through the Post-Ofico Department can only
slow up its aggressiveness. If Congress will
consider this phase of the controversy, it will
not hesitate in meeting the urgent request
of the publishers and at least will suspend
the operation of the law until competent in
vcstigation has pointed the way 10 one that
is fair and workable.