The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-06-23
A PLEA FoR The PRESS

If the size of the paper has to be
cut down, because Of the impogsibility
OF paying the war duties the public d.
rectly suffers. 1t does not suffer ma
terially and physically as It would IN
case its food supply were proportion
\ ately reduced, but the harm IS, never
/ theless, just as vital.
i The necessity for this news, espec-
tally that dealing with the conduct OF
the political and governmental affairs
Of the country, Is absolute. To deprive
the people Of it In any measure does a
proportionate amount Of harm, while
to shut off entirely would speedily re-
suit in disaster.
I A hundred years ago the distances
from community to community were
so comparatively small that impor
tant news could be transmitted
quickly enough to cope, with all peces
stiles and emergencies. In addition,
the operations of the government were
comparatively so simple, as compared
with the complicated problems of today
that the news facilities of today were
not required.
But who win deny that, II the news
papers of the country were to be
closed down. or shut off from publish
Ing the news for three months. say,
the country would DO in a state Of
chaos.
| II this country had no better news
I facilities today than It had in 1873, 1t
wouldn't exist as unified and coher-
emit government for five years. An
archy, considering the trend Of the
times, and the growth OF radicalism
] 4fr,re all oil If {afU
would hover In the shadow surround
/ ing every home.
The mendacious and predacious in
terests OF the country, which even now
prowl the corridors OF congress would
hold high revel, unguarded and un-
checked .preylng at will upon the peo-
pie through the laws they could pass
at will secure in the knowledge that it
would take weeks for the report of
doings to spread to the outer sections
OF the country.
Once passed. these laws become. the
law OF the land. To resist them would
be anarchy and rebellion. To repeal
them would necedsitate cooperation
on the part of the peoples in the far
distant communities, which co-opera-
! tion could not be secured In months,
To repeat, the country with its vast
expanses, could not exist without eth
err becoming a prey to predatory inter-
ests, or seeking refuge IN an oligarchy
or monarchical form of government.
| The problems of today are such that
| 1t is vital for the people in the furth-
ermost reaches Of the land to have the
news Immediately that 1t transpires.
II the labor board outs wages OF
railroad men so millions, 1t is vital for
this news to be transmitted to all seq
tions Immediately concurrent with
reports as to how the action was taken
| by the railroad men, and by the peo-
pie in other sections OF the country.
/ Otherwise. each section, ignorant OF
what the others were doing would be
subject to direct approximations.
These approximations would lead to
hasty action, dictated by sense OF
self preservation in each section.
There would be no confidence any
where no corporation that could be
depended upon to have any degree OF
stability, and the only solution to the
situation would be in making each
community law unto itself.
| The country not only requires the
newspapers and their news, but could
not exist as an entity without them,
And anything that tends to curtail
the full and free publication of the
news affects the vital and fundamental
rights and needs of the people in a
proportionate degree.
! With respect to he effect of the
present war duties on the newspapers,
the Publishers Conference, recently
held in Washington, says.
Forum OF Censorship
Oppressive taxation on the nations
press is in itself an indirect form of
censorship and step backing toward
the dark ages. The publishers Of news
papers and magazines have appealed
to congress for fair play in order that
the needs of the reading public may be
met. A bill known as III. r. 1869
introduced by Congressman NJ, Clyde
Kelly of Pennsylvania, is now pending
in the postoffice and post roads COM
mittee OF the house of Representatives.
1t provides for the reduction of the war
taxes levied In the present high postal
rates. The press of the country pro-
tests against the severity OF the inn
position which tends to jeopardize it's
freedom of expression.
Brings Light,
Public integrity, political and social
freedom depend upon the intelligence
and character Of our citizens. The
majority of American citizens are de-
pendent upon the press for intellectual
inspiration. An enlightened Press will
make flliteracy, isolation and super
stition give way to progress and pros
perity and thus strengthen the moral
and social fibre of the people. To full
FL this mission it is necessary that the
channels Of commandments
transportation Of the mails,-be kept
open at reasonable rates for the news
papers and magazines.
Not Justified.
Continuation of war time taxes on
the press of the country is matter
which concerns every citizen. At the
time the tax was imposed 1t was gem
orally conceded that increases in the
postal rates on second class matter,
.4na.