The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1919-02-14
Paternalism Rampant

a MONO the numerous letters of government agencies
asking free publicity of us this week. is one from
our new Secretary the Treasury publisher
himself which inadvertently perhaps, reflects upon the
honesty of other reputable" editors.
We know of course that a good many country editors
may need guardians cannot forget that the very
policy of the government toward them during
the years. together with the patriotism OF SAID
editors themselves has more nearly quallhed them 1or
receivers
To saw the least of it. we think the wording of this let
ter of Mr. Glass is unfortunate and the practical intent
of to stop altogether advertising by buyers OF Lper
ty Bonds Of the letter that reliable banks
and companies, and reputable persons may BUY
bonds but the further inference might be that only
swindler would advertise the fact that he would buy
bonds and all such are put notice. together with the
newspapers that they will thus bring down upon them
selves the righteous wrath of the Treasury Department
True the honorable Secretary lessons the stigma placed
upon the reputable newspapers by saying that they are
vicized by accepting the advertisement of these swnd
ers and advises the application of his superior brand OF
newspaper ethics.
Now this looks like paternalism rampant Some
how we have feeling that every citizen who SO patrl-
ocally assisted in winning the by buying Liberty
Bonds" since the is has perfect right TO
sell them trade them for automobiles to give
them to hospitals, swap them for mules or hand or
pans or billy goats, sewing machines, or any other
commodity as strikes his fancy without interference OF
the Treasury.
From the of this Treasury letter. you might even
infer that they considered the people who bought Liberty
Bonds weak minded 1t to us that the honorable
Secretary should have his hands full in looking after the
national finances without assuming the duty of formula
ting a code of morals for the the newspapers of the
country and watching the individual finances OF
every person in the country who Liberty Bond,
In our opinion this would be Gemanize country,
and that is lust what we want to get away from.
Perhaps we feel this keeny by of the fact
that we columns two advertisements OF local
firms offering to buy Liberty BoRds The heads of both
these firms among best and most patriotic citizens
men who were foremost in putting the Liberty
Loans-of undoubted honesty and responsibility, and we
feel that it would also be doing them injustice if
should publish the Treasury letter without protest
We are printing the letter in another column on this
page and knowing that it may be read by many who are
not acquainted with the high character of these advets
ers think that this protest and explanation is but
simple justice to them and to this paper.
So far concerned we should certainly advise
everyone who able hold their Liberty Bonds
but if they wish sell them think but fair that they
may know of convenient buyer The scoundre and
swnder that Mr. Glass speaks of is likely not to
advertise ALL but to do his business the quiet and
we know it must give the of bonds added
of security to know that there demand for bonds
and convenient buyers.
And without the advertised market for bonds the said
swindler certainly would have an easy time with
of the more ignorant bondholders Mr. Glass doubt
had in mind the mantang of bond values when he
that letter. and the advertising which his letter would
tend to suppress really of the most effective
of reassurng the people that the bonds valuable
The columns of tbs paper jealousy guarded against
accepting advertising of doubtful character and
glad ythe for nearly every paper this state