The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-07-25
WITHOUT APOLOGY.


this gratuitous rebuff: 'This probably means
editorials in the paper that Frank Mayes made
so fine power in Florida
The Journal, along with The Metropolis, and
hundreds Of other newspapers in the United
States, uses the Newspaper Enterprise Associa-
ton auxiliary to the work Of its regular
staff.
An editorial page is supposed to represent a.
policy not personality. 1t it were customary to
sign every editorial appearing in the newspapers
published in Florida it is safe to say that many
personalities would be represented. But an edi-
torial is not, should not be, the opinion of any
one person on a newspaper, but should be the
policy of newspaper translated through the
medium of the pen-whose pen is of less moment
than what that pen expresses. The Newspaper
Enterprise Association has circulation of four
million, and is the most widely distributed SER
vice. and acknowledged to be the best of its kind
in the United States. In its sheets it is specifi-
cally stated that the names which are given as
authors Of the various editorials are merely for
the information of editors. 1t would be quite
as fair to criticize Henry Watterson for taking
credit for editorials written by Mr. Haldeman, or
to criticize Mr. S. Bobo Dean for taking credit for
the splendid work of his associate editor or the
late Col. Frank L. Mayes for the work of his
editorials from the N. E. A. service. An edi-
torial page is definite policy translated through
pen and printers ink. When the day comes, if
that day ever does come, when every editorial
that appears in newspaper is signed, editorial
pages win lose much of their force.
Charles A. Dana did not write all of his edi- |!
torials, any more than Horace Greeley did, or
any than James Gordon Bennett did. But
those editorials expressed the policies for which
IL
body in the columns of their newspapers.
The same associate editor who hae the OPP |
portunity of working side by side with the late |
Frank L. Mayes, who had the good fortune to |
imbibe some of his high newspaper standards |
and the privilege of writing many of his edi-
torials, has been associate editor of The Journal
since his death.
Since the declaration of hostilities by the Unit
ed States and the call of men to the colors the /
force of The Journal was depleted, just as on
other newspapers in the country. The editorial
writer worked twelve to fourteen hours day,
in order that editorial work, a street beat and
government publicity might be covered The
Liberty loan, the Red Cross and other war pub
licity never suffered because the force was re-
duced, but the editorial page often did. The
Journal is not ashamed of this but points to it /
with pride
There were just two kinds of editorials that
were never neglected-one was war publicity and
the other was the backing of the president Of
these United States in his great problems. The
Journal editor always found time to write edi-
torial matter of this kind and to cover any as
signments of such character. 1t was her bit and
she did it to the very level best of her ability.
If she had to use some canned editorial now and
then in order to make time for this war work,
she has no apologies to offer anybody. i
On the contrary she believed then, and be- i
lieves now, that if it was question of neglect
ing one or the other, she chose the best course.
The Journal has at this time on it's force six
men who during the war were in the service of
their country. These men in addition to those
employed during the war. During the period
for which the Metropolis criticizes The Journal
This newspaper suffered the handicaps not only
Of war, but the loss of two of the most brilliant
men in the newspaper field. II
In spite of the criticism of the Metropolis The
Journal believes that few newspapers in Florida .
have expressed in its columns policy more con- 8
sistent with true democracy more loyal to the {
government, have carried more original edi- .
torial, day in and day out. IL
The policy of The Journal in the future, as in
the past, will be to give to its readers the best at
It's command. If it ever again comes to show =
down between the use of the N. E. A. and the r
neglect of publicity which The Journal believes r