Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-04-28
.RURLEsON MAKES REPLY
TO CRITICS OF THE LAW
Observation-Disclosures Says 'SelfiSl,
Few" of Publishers Arc RE-
sponSiblc.
ASSERTS SUBSIDY is SOUGHT
Also Sends His Answer to the Charge
Made by Charles johnson Post
In Recent Interview in New
York.

WASHINGTON. April 27.-Action of
the American Newspaper Publishers
Association. in adopting resolutions pc
titioning Congress to repeal or suspend
the postal zone law. was vigorously
assailed III another formal statement
issued by Postmaster General Burleson
last night
This move by the publishers, said
the PostmasterG General. makes plain
me me ISSUE between him and his critics
men, from the Cabinet
a selfish few Of the publishers" he
added. resort to disrcputable methods
TO accomplish this purpose.
But the law shall not he repealed"
MI Bur!eson declared. III by the use
OF the biudgeon Of truth he can pound
he honest facts into the minds OF
those upon whom the final RESPONSE
GIlity rests"
The ,mastcr-Gcncral also made
his reply to the statement last night
OF Charles Johnson Post. calling on
him to make public your records of
moneys received by you in connection
with the convict labor on property
The fun facts in this matter. MIR Bur
Lesson stated. are matter of public
record.
Burlcson's Statement.
The Postmaster Generals statement
acknowledging the publishers follows:
Resolutions adopted at their meet
ing in New York yesterday commit
the publishers association to a peti-
ION ipF the TcDc;tl or SUSPENSION or
the law increasing the rate OF post
age on newspapers and magazines.
This makes the issue plain. Should
the law be repealed or should IL be
permitted TO stand?
1T is manifest that enough OF the
publishers were Interested TO influence
the association 10 declare in favor Of
the repeal of this law, which dcprives
them Of part Of the subsidy they had
long enjoyed.
The old tactics Of stating action
not he tolerated. We have had the
Hughes commission. appointed at the
instance Of the publishers and they
refused TO accept it's findings
The PoStmaStcr-Gc does not
assume that all, or even considerable
part Of these publishers, would be in
i'uenced to falsitication or other dis
honorable conduct by their desire to
recover this advantage,
Points to Selfish Few.
But the fact remains that the selfish
few do resort TO disrcputable methods
10 .. 4Gc9mplish this purpose
made clear.
The Postmast er-Gcncral is Informed
mat certain periodical in a single
issue recently carried 100000 worth
OF advertising. which is at the rate OF
SiO."ooc00 "A year. This edition
weighed approximately 1000. 900 pounds.
and was transmitted through the mail
at loss of cents on every pound.
in this instance. the other users OF
the mail were taxed to pay the loss
OF $4,000 for the benefit OF one pub
Usher on this single issue OF his
periodical. and he protitcd to that en-
tent. The statement that the public
and not the publisher. suffers by the
zone rate is an insult to the intelli-
gcnce of the American people.
However much the selfish publica-
tons may attempt 10 camoutage the
situation. the thoughtful, intelligent
reader will not lose sight of the real
isSue-shall the law. which provides
that the publisher who profits from this
transaction must bear Il part of this
loss 20 the postal establishment, be
suspended or repealed and the full
graft that a few millionaire publish
ers have SO long enjoyed. be restored?
Sees Poisonous Thrustx.
Their lobbyists and hirelings may
conceal themselves behind a pretended
desire to improve the postal or wire
service and hurl their phosgene gas
shells OF falsihcd news or attempt to
give back thrust with the Stiletto
poisoned by hidden malice 10 honest
officials who are doing their duty: vet
they must not be permitted to obscure
the real issue. Shall the ld-time s7o,-
100000 postal subsidy. taken from the
pockets of other users of the mail be
restored 10 the few parasite publishers
who have for years plundered the
postal revenues?
1T shall not be. if by the use OF the
biudgeon OF truth the present Post
facts into the minds OF those upon whom
the final responsibility rests"
The telegram TO Mr.. Post follows:
answering your wire, the full facts
in connection with the lease to the
State of Texas Of the plantation r
was interested upon which the State
used its convict labor and the terms
of the contract in connection there
with. have been placed before the Con