The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1921-03-31
Get THE FACTS

meeting of the National Press club,
when he was the guest of honor.
President Harding took occasion to
rebuke in very gentle but none the
less direct manner one of the evil
practices into which the metropolitan
press has fallen in recent years. Al
though the president did not partic-
Iularly mention the metropolitan
press, his remarks were applicable to
only that portion of journalism for
the reason that the large city news
papers are practically the only often
ders.
Speaking Of journalists the presl-
dent said:
Il always knew that they were ex-
Ceeingly bright and alert and | have
lately come TO know that they know
more than executives. Congress and
cabinets combined and have learned
from them things I am doing or 60
ing to do that never knew myself"
THIS has reference, of course. to
that practice in journalism establish
ed recently of having special CORES
pondents write speculative articles of
a nature which the paper is not will
ling to sponsor on it's own RESPONSE
bility and, therefore, has the author
sign his own name. Journalists OF
this type are the ones who have been
feeling the public what President
Harding is doing or going to do that
he never knew himself, This is
practice OF which the country press
has never been guilty, and by the
country press, as distinguished from
the metropolitan press, is included
all that portion of American journal
ism published outside of a very few
large cities.
President Harding is himself a
publisher, and has been for many
years. He publishes the Marion Star
a daily paper in city of about 10000
population and, according to the lat
est newspaper directory, his paper
has a circulation of some 10000
daily. In the offices of the. Star
there is posted on the wall brief
= ct of rules a copy of which is also
given to each new reporter. Among
these rules is one which calls for
accuracy of statement. Adherence to
this rule has always been one OF the
characteristics of the Harding paper
When, therefore, the president took
some of the modern journalists 10
task for knowing and printing some
things that are not true he was
merely setting forth in an impress
siye way and at very appropriate
time and place, theories OF journalism
which he has practiced throughout
his journalistic career.
While he was on his vacation II
Florida Mr.. Harding took another
occasion to reprlmand an equally vic
ious practice OF some of the metro
politan press correspondents VIII
had criticised him for things he ha'
not done nor had an opportunity Z
do. Said he:
"Unhappily It is tendency OF gu
Journalistic practice. It amounts t
jumping on a man before he has ha
an opportunity to demonstrate hi
ability or his intention. After ther
has been malteasance III oince' '"'
90 after a man. Go fter him hare
But don't make imputations In ae
vance of action, I see in all this
wrong effort to undermine public co
ridence in the incoming administri
tion before 1t has had a chance
perform. This sort of thing go'
deeper than its effect upon any or
man. It strikes at the root OF po'
ular government and strikes DANCE
ously"
The rule in the office of the Marie
star is: BE truthful. Get the facts
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