South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-04-10
IN UNI ISL DECISION

r-or,-vi-r the use of The navy station by Senator
New 20 broadcast o political appeal 20 Indiana
which he Is personally avoiding rather carefully
since he has been challenged 20 explain his primary
exDerse account secy Of the Navy DENLY has issued
an order prohibiting the use Of government stations
for political purposes
Hs action IS IN -self a criticism Of New but that
IS ur.npor-ant when compared 20 the basis Of his
decision
The r1o-- important thing that government could
do for the nation would be 90 keep the people fully
informed AZ au times Of the attitude the promises
the pledges and the platforms Of those who are
either public servants or aspire 20 be pubic SER
wants
The one attack upon the primary system OF nomi-
nations devised 20 escape the manipu-ations OF the
bosses and 90 give the voters Of the country
broader participation in the selection or oholaS %
the Costumes or a campaign
The charge that 80 IS Impossible for man OF
email means 20 run for statewide lob without
roortgagng tho peoples interests in advance to those
seeking special privileges IS NOT without foundation
To reach ali the people with appeal is a costly
thing these DAYS entaing either personal visits 10
ever, community and large sums for public meet
ings or through the scarcely less expensive methoaS
Of sending out printed literature Of some form or
another
Tn many states the primary has been attacked be-
cause of this feature and the decreasing number OF
talented men of small means who can he enticed 10
enter the race for public Office And there are
always those who are ready enough to compromise
with their conzclences and sell their powers TO
those who win aid them
The popular and general use Of the radio with
receiving stations I'm postofhces and public places
offers a suggestion of a method whereby this criti-
cisu Of the direct primary may be obviated
Very soon radio sets viii be as common in homes
"a teIeDhores and speeches and concerts viii be
caught from the air for the entertainment and ed
ucation Of the people.
The use of government stations for political pur-
poses would he more than helpful in bringing can
didates for office directly to the people They would
lose only the personal contact but they would be
able to give directly their thoughts and their pur
poses 20 many thousands of people.
Why not permit every candidate for Office with
perhaps only the most nominal fee, if any, to give
10 the people their speeches under regulations which
would be fair every party and to every candidate
for oficee
Why not use the government property to bring
this needed information the voters and thus emI-
nate the necessity Of the costly methods now used
20 capture the attention and the favor of the public?
If might seem that the DENLY orders should be
reversed and that instead of order prohibiting
the government wireless for political purpose that
a general invitation he extended TO ali candidates
to use them impartiaIy and generally
The old boss system thrived by dominating con-
ventions That meant throtting the voice OF the
people. The primary gives every voter his chance
but i.s defects are noticeable. Perhaps this new
invention VIII resist day in politics when
once again the man with limited funds Will he
placed UNION an equality with his wealthier rivals
in the matter of easy appeal TO the people.
IL is at least worth a trial--for the primary in
some form and under some conditions is here TO
stay