The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1919-12-05
Country Newspapers face Crisis.


come 50 serious that the city daily
papers are becoming alarmed and
offering any price. out-bi dding the
country papers and threatening
them with determination. The
Western Newspaper Union. which
furnishes the paper for a majority
Of the smaller country papers made
a report that inquiries to the paper
houses in 80 states revealed the fact
that 26 dealers were out of paper
entirely and the prices quoted by
the other jobbe.s were from Sc to
l2c per pound In the face of the
fact that print paper was formerly
priced at &c 10 &c per pound it is
easy TO see why every paper has
raised the subscription price and
why so many have consolidated or
suspended publication The follow
ing telegram was sent to the de-
partmen, Of justice.
Hon. A Mitchell Palmer. Attorney
General. Washington, D. c.
Sir: The weekly newspaper was
the first public voice to be raised in
the wilderness that is now America.
That voice has always been heard
upon the side Of high patriotism.
good citizenship. and public and
private morals.
1t remains today the most potent
weapon the republic wields against
the forces Of evil. and the most
powerful molder Of public opinion.
The country newspaper represents
the heart Of America. Not from
the cosmopolitan crowds Of city
streets. but from the green fields.
blue skies and clean living Of the
open, comes that elusive, though
real. something that has come to be
known as American ideals"
AS leader, teacher, counselor and
friend, the country newspaper has
broken trail for one hundred years
for the most thrilling example Of
empire building the world has ever
witnessed.
Throughout the world war the
country newspaper was whole.
heartedly with the government, re-
gardless Of it's political faith, ia
spring its following of patriotic
citizens to greater effort. and Civ
ing Of its own slender resources to
the cause.
Not in the fields of the country
press did we find the serpent Of dis
loyalty.
Arthur Balfour of England re-
Gently remarked to an American
man:
Upon the rural press of America
rests the fate Of civilization.
The country newspaper is. to be
sure, a business enterprise. but we
believe it more nearly approxi-
mates an unselfish public utility
than an other American busine 81.
And now the very existence Of
this most dependable Of our in
fuences for good is threatened by
profiteering in paper. A fictitious
market has been created by greedy
manufacturers. brokers ard metro
politan dailies. which promises to
make the publication of weekly
newspapers impossible. 1t has al
ready made the business unprotit-
able
When country newspapers are no
onger possible. the country mer.
:hant and village life. steadying in-
1uences in our national being, will
PASS. A tendency toward .centrsliz-
ltion is already known to be basic
actor in our high cost Of living
Ind general unrest.
As co.workers with and whole.
alers to the country press for fifty |
even years. We tender you this ap-
veal for relief from l3. 900 loyal |
American citizens-business men |
lpon whose continued business
depends most largely the
(estiny Of our country.
We ask an immediate aud |
borough investigation of condi-
ions. and the application of such
emedies as are necessary to save
he life of this industry.
Yours RESPECTFULLY,
Western Newspaper onion.
Omaha. Neb. November 29.19lo.