The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-04-26
PLEADS FOR A
CONTINUANCE
HIGH MOTIVES
AND HARMONY
Says World Will Be Ben
e6tted If Press Will
Continue to Treat Ad-.
ministration Wit h
Confidence and Re-
speCt.

New York, April ga letter from
President Harding bespeaking the
continuance of the lofty motives that
inspired Aemrlcan newspapers during
the war, was read today at the annual
luncheon of the Associated Press at
the Waldorf Astoria.
RegretGng that he could not yield to
the temptation to play, truant and at
tend the luncheon of fellow publishers
he also expressed the hope that the
administration would be able to de-
serve and retain the lavish measure
of good will and confidence accorded
it thus far.
Frank B. Noyes, president of the
Associated Press, in behalf of the
gathering, pledged support and sym
pathy to President Harding in the
great tasks he is confronting and gave
gave the only toast offered on these
occasions
THE president of the United
States"
The guest of honor, at the luncheon.
which was held in connection with
the annual meeting was John w. Da-
Wis, formerly ambassador to Great
Britain, who made his first appearance
before the members as general coun.
sci for the Associated Press.
Remarking that editorial comment
was secondary to the news column in
influence upon public opinion, he con-
graduated the Associated Press be-
cause, by the general verdict of man.
kind, it has performed its duty with
out bias, without prejudice and with
out partisanship and in an earnest
pursuit Of the truth where it might be
found "
Foreseeing that foreign policy must
become the most important factor in
our national life, he said it could be
based only upon information trans
mitted with exactness.
In this connection he gave personal
views without. he said, desiring to
arouse controversy He suggested
= that the constitutional requirement of
'two-thirdS vote in the senate to rat
ify treay be abrogated in favor of
majoriy vote and that diplomatic
and consular agents be compensated
adequately. In beginning his remarks
Mr.. Noyes sounded an optimistic note
saying:
1T is in troubled world that we
meet today, but least of all is it time
for us to indulge in pessimism.
The rising sun as it reaches in its
turn each VeXed and burdened globe.
is still rising sun and we hope and
believe that each sunrise will find
world little more tranquil, Il little
more at rest.
1t seems to me that the people of
the United States are singularly unit
ed in cordial support of our president
IN full confidence that he will find the
right path for us to follow in This
worldwide welter of confusion.
I'VE bid him good cheer in meet
ing, as he must. his great RESPONSE
bilities. He will have our support
and our sympathy in the grea: tasks
he is confronting
81 give ybu the only toast it is our
wont to offer on these occasions:
THE president of the United States.
Warren G.. Harding
The following letter from Mr.. Hard
ing then was read:
Dear Mr. Neyes:
Il would be very grateful if on the
occasion OF the annual luncheon of
the Associated Press you would ex-
press to the gathering my great re-
gret that public engagements made
II impossible for me to accept the in
Vltat!en to be present. The oppor-
tunity to meet so pleasant company
OF fellow newspapermen such as will
there be gathered, presents real
temptation to play truant and join
you; but it seems quite impossible.
AS newspaper publisher l am
disposed to arrogate to myself bit Of
special qualification to Judge the SER
yi0p that tho i0ftrp licfio Y1raoo hoe
rendered to our country in the diff
cult period through wfhch we have
passed, and which is not yet ended
Il know how earnestly and effectively
the nress 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 instrumehtalities of publicity
No more unqualified, intelligent and
patriotic service was rendered to the
nation and the great cause, than that
SO freely given by the newspapers
Looking back upon it as one of the
chief assets on the side of national
morals l cannot but bespeak con-
tinuance of the lofty motives that in
spired and Of the generous consid-
crate helpful attitude.
The world and our nation have yet
manifold onercus problems to solve
and burdens to bear. l know that
among those entrusted with national
y administration there is /. the ardent
wish to serve with whatever of ability
we may possess. and without any res-