New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-20
Cox Helped
Rich Boys to
Avoid Draft

for the WAY service am very much con-
cerned over the possibility of your staff
and editorial force being disorganized
when the selective law goes into effect.
whatever has been accomplished by
Ohio up to this time has been made
possible by efficient and organized pub
Lefty. AS you know, the staff men that
are assigned to the state departments,
and particularly to the State House
itself, cannot De broken in with ease
or rapidity. The men devoted to this
task now are unusually efficient, be-
cause they know what is going on and
they understand the general policy of
publicity. l earnestly hope tina. you
will use your best endeavors to keep
the force intact.
"You probably know that we have
designated a number of reporters as
secretaries Of the war cabinet, and it
would be difficult to measure in words
the good service they are rendering.
approaching the subject in a broader
view, we are reminded that even during
the Civil War the people Of the North
depended very largely upon the news
papers for information as to what was
going on. In the present day the ncws-
papers are the recognized channels Of
communication between the govern
ment and the people. They form the
greatest power for stimulating public
sentiment and informing all the people
why certain things are necessary that
could possibly exist. Secretary of
the Treasury McAdoo only stated a
we'll recognized fact when he said that
the newspapers had made the Libert
Loan great success. Every leader
in the Red Cross campaign to raise
one hundred million dollars for the
Red Cross has given the same testi-
mony.
Work of Papers Praised
"The Scripps newspapers have from
the beginning of the war performed q
very great public service in explaining
IN simple language to the people the
meaning Of various proposed measures
of legislation and desired effect.
"As Governor of Ohio, certainly
desire the continued assistance of the
Scrlpps newspapers, at their highest
pRint Of efficiency during the war,
especially as war measure.
The spirit Of newspaper and the
influence of newspaper are the re-
suit Of the growth of years. The in
Huence Of newspaper, no matter how
great and powerful. can be materially
impaired in day by the loss
OF the men responsible for it's
spirit. remember reading the tes-
tlmony Of numerous newspaper men
that the death of great pub
lisheP fraYHpDdouSl, ~ -
confidence of the people, thereby mar
rowing it's influence. This was because
his attitude on public questions was
we'll known and the people trusted his
good faith and honesty Of intention,
even when they doubted or disagreed
with the expediency Of the particular
thing that newspaper was discussing
"As an illustration Of the same point.
take your concern. James G. Scripps
has for ten years been the active head
in control of the Scripps newspapers
His fathers health is too poor for him
to take up their conduct, even if he
were inclined to do so after ten years
Of retirement. The withdrawal of
James G. Scripps from active connec-
ton with the concern would greatly
impair its efficiency as public service.
Declares for Exemption
"Repiylng to your specific question,
therefore, l would say that those con-
nected with newspaper who are d.
rectly Or indirectly responsible for its
policy or the soul which anmates that
policy, should by all means be exempt
ed from service in the army, because
their places could not be easily filled,
if filled at all.
$50 far as my influence goes, there
fore, I will argue that exemptions be
enforced as to those making up the
skilled organization Of newspaper just
the same as an ammunition plant. This
would not, of course. apply to the rank
and file, but would apply to those whose
continued presence was necessary to
insure that the newspaper would go
forward in the future as it had in the
past. animated by the same spirit Of
patriotism and sacrifices for the gov
eminent that characterizes newspapers
in general to-day.
yours very truly,
JAMES M. COX,
UCovorpor