Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-12-25
The Rising Tide OF propagun1a

n BSERVANT and discriminating news
~ paper editors consign portion Of
nearly every days mail TO their wastcbas kets
unopened; the envelopes carry plainly
enough tho label of unavailability Many
other offerings require only Il cursory ex-
animation to Justify the same ruthless
scrapping. The contributions thus coldly
denied the light of day. though precious in
the sight OF their respective authors, do
not constitute that part of the mail over
which certain picked marines have been
placed on guard. Far from deserving load
from sawed-of shotgun. any robber who
might make OF with bag of this class of
mai would merit, not pension perhaps,
but coincidence on the disturbance of his in
tellectual digestion
He would find in the bag-as newspaper
editors find until they refuse TO look any
longer--a complete and quite bewidering
assortment of the propagandsts newest
wares; the addresses in every case he would
find to be the news or editorial department
OF some American newspapers. The tide OF
propaganda, instead of subsidnE at the ex-
piration Of the great conflict that gave il
volume and momentum. has been rising
steadily, and as yet there is no sign of re-
cession or a abatement. 1t has engulfed in it's
sweep q great number Of wholly respectable
institutions businesses and causes, whose
leaders have come to believe that the in
direct editing of the country's newspapers
is one of their legitimate and necessary
functions.
In this widespread intensified effort to
propagandize through the columns of news
papers, Professor Brown, Of the Columbia
School of Journalism perceves a definite
menace to the natural and proper sphere OF
the press. Every discerning newspaper edi-
TO l-,, 81,
right, at least in theory; if the modern
press agent, now become highly profess
sionalZed agent of all manner of move
ments, corporations. industries and schools
OF thought is not actually accomplishing
great harm, he is certainly potential
menace TO journalism and public welfare
The essence OF journalism" says Professor
Brown, lis its autonomous expression of it.
self as an interpreter OF society" That is
a definition in which every newspaper edi-
tor or the best editorial conceptions will
concur. And there will be equal readiness
to approve the following utterance: Neither
the accuracy Of a Journals news nor the
business OF its opinions is half as important
To society as certainty that whatever IL pub-
fishes is the result of its own independent
outlook on the world in the capacity of
public Waterman. That is its profession.
that is its trust"
rue 'HitaPO tribune doubts III the leading
newspapers are being used by the propa-
sandists with any substantial measure OF
success. Most newspapers of the first rank
III fact. are too closely guarded by their
news and editorial directors to permit the
harmful infusion against which Professor
Brown sounds a warming. The significant
iact remains, however, as the Columbia man
points out, that these professional propa-
gandists are getting enough of their offer
ihgs into print to Justify their salaries in
the eyes or those who employ them They
are the masters of many subtletics and in
SFatiating wiles, and the editor who is not
Il veritab!e watchdog will he taken in occa-
siohally despite the best OF intentions The
fact that every newspaper man from the
moment OF his first quaking interview at
the city desk is drilled in the rudimen,s
OF defense against this very enemy is the
best guarantee that the propagandist. for
all his Establishments and boldness, will not
inject his publicity stream at will