The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-08-15
CoMMEncIAiIzrD NEWSPAPERS.


The Chicago Tribuno's reply to Governor smale
charge that he Is the victim ot a conspiracy
between a lewlcss political ring and CONNER
ciallsed newspapers, 80 ably present. the posi-
tion Of the average newspaper that 1t Ia repro
duccd in fun In the hope that It viii be gen
orally read and remembered Because every
newspaper frequently meets precisely the same
criticism from crooked public officials the de.
fensc always being an attack on the press and
It's motives rather shan the prcscntmcnt of con-
vincing evidence:
Governor Small Issuing statement IN his
own behalf. says that the authority Of the pco-
pie has been prostituted to the purposes Of u
lawlcss ring aided and abetted by commercial
lied newspapers such as the Chicago Tribune
and the Chicago Daily News
"Mr Small was indicted on = charge OF en-
bezzicmcnt Of state funds states Attorney
Mortimer OF SanEamon county says that seven
teen members Of the grand jury which voted the
bill are Sangamon county farmers They con-
stitute the nwless ring and probably viii Ike
the description.
"Mr Smalls other description is OF the News
and the Tribune commcrcializcd newspapers
They are commercinzed newspapers What OF
that? Does Mr.. Small know what he Is talking
about? Does he infer that commerce IL dis-
grace in this country
The Tribune IN a commerciaiized newspaper.
1t is engaged In making and selling "A COM
modify. 1t converts wood into paper and the
paper into a newspaper which people buy be-
cause they want the commodity. 1t IL sold at
a fixed price and has no secret rates or rebates
It is conducted az straightforward business
proposition.
1T Is dependent entirely upon its purchasers
for ia existence. - with hon
est industry. II 1t did not produce the COM
modify which the people want It could not exist,
II has no subsidies or any source of revenue
which does not come from the sale OF the news
paper commodity.
ut collects ncws from all parts OF tho world
and endeavors to present that news as news 1t
does not withhold news and It does not know
ingy print false statements. The statement In
which Mr.. Small imputed dishonorable motives
to every agency OF law concerned In his case and
dishonorable motives to agencies not involved
was printed. The effective statement OF the
states attorney was crowded out for lack of
space Mr. Small had tho OF the newspaper.
1t is the only way he can reach large numbers
Of people with his statement and 1t was open to
him because as commercializcd newspaper the
Tribune deals In news as commodity sold to
the people.
"In the editorial columns the Tribune eN-
presses its opinions--not In the news columns
Every reader knows that editorial Is an cN-
preston OF opinion with which he may agree or
disagree.
The purpose OF the editorial Is TO advance the
hest interests Of the community as the interests
are seen in the best judgment OF the newspaper.
In it's advertising columns the newspaper ~ a
market where seller and buyer meet most easily
and conveniently. II IL the simplest buying and
selling agency known, and 1t is the object OF
the newspaper to keep this market policed, free
from fraud and deception, in the interest OF
both buyer and seller That a "A commercial
ized newspaper and the Tribune is one of the
greatest Of them
The question ia not between Governor Small
and the new 7papors II is between him and the
state. lie is indicted on tho charge that he cm-
hczzcd state money. That is the subject which
invitca Mr smaus statements ibid ho or didn',
ne? Is he an honest man or crimInally dts.
honest? lie knows, and the slrtc is entitled io
find out as it viii try to do In IN, course of
trial.
LEONARD WOOD.
Mai Cen Leonard wood. II Ia announced