Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1921-04-27
HARDING IN LETTER
TOA.P. SINGS PRAISE
OF AMERICAN PRESS.
REGRETS ne Is UNABLE TO PLAY
TRUANT AND SPEND a DAY
with THE BOYS" -- SUPPORT
us ASSURED EXECUTIVE AT
ANNUAL BANQUET.

New York, April 27.-A letter from
President Harding bespeaking a con
tinuance OF the lofty motives mat in
spled American newspapers during
war was read today at the annual
luncheon of the Associated Press at
the Waldorf Astoria
Regretting that he could not yield
to the temptation to PLAY truant AMI
attend the luncheon Of fellow publish
ers, he also expressed the hope That
the administration would be able to
deserve and retain the lavish measure
of good will and confidence accorded
II thus far.
Frank b. Noyes, president of the
Associated Press in behalf of the
gathering. pledged support and sym
patty to President Harding in the
great tasks he ia confronting and
gave the only toast offered on these
occasions.
THE president Of the United
States Fl
The guest Of honor al the luncheon
which was held in connection viii the
annual meeting was John w. Davis.
formerly ambassador to Great Britain
who made his first appearance before
the members as general counsel for
the Associated Press.
Remarking that editorial comment
was secondary To the news column in
influence on public opinion, he con
graduated the Associated Press be
cause BY the general verdict Of man.
Kind it has performed its duty without
bias, without prejudice and without
craftsmanship, and in an earnest pur-
suit of the truth where it might be
found"
1T would be hard to assemble a
gathering more diverse in its pOlit-
ical or economic beliefs than in our
meeting today" Mr. Noyes said. I'll
believe though and | fake it as a sign
Of great hOpetulness that everyone
desires that, forgetting past dissen-
sons. this nation through its leaders
should do its best possible for our in
dividual citizenship. for our country
for our allies and for the whole world. !
and broadly speaking what is good for
one will be good for all"
The letter from President Harding
to Mr. Noyes said;
q AS newspaper publisher | am
disposed to arr0gate to myself bit
Of special qualification to judge the |
service that the journalistic press has
rendered to our country in the diff |
cult period through which we have
passed, and which is not vet ended /
know how earnestly and effectively |
the press tried to hold up the hands .
of all who were carrying forward Our
nations activities during the war. On |
the other hand my service in public |
life gave me some special insight into /
the relations between the government |
and the Observation-Disclosures Of publicity !
No more unqualified, intelligent and /
patriotic service was rendered to the /
nation and the great cause that 80 |
freely given by the newspapers.
Looking back upon it as one Of
the chief assets on the side of the ma
tional morale, | cannot but bespeak a |
continuance of the lofty motives that |
inspired it, and OF the generous, con |
sderate, helpful attitude
The world and our nation have yet |
manifold enormous problems to solve |
and burdens To bear | know that |
among those entrusted with national |
administration there is the ardent |
wish to serve with whatever OF ability |
we may possess, and without any res |
ervations in behalf of partisanship or
personal interest Nothing would give !
me more issuance at this time than |
to know that the new admintration
would be able TO dcsery" ana retain |
the lavish measure OF good viii and |
confidence that has been accorded to
it thus far Mutual tolerance and !
moderation will, am sure be amply
repaid in accomplishment for the
country we all love and wish to pros
per"
Introducing the guest Of honor Mr. |
Noyes said;
when this organization was in the |
process of formation those who We're |
responsible for planning it
Washington, April 27.-FrcsidpntI
Harding was to leave here late today |
on the yacht Maytower for Old Point |