The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1922-03-03
BY Geo. c. Reeder.

That illiteracy exists in Washington
is unthinkable and seems impossible
That this deficiency of citizenship is
real to an appreciate degree, is
brought to the public notice by the
fact that campaign has been organ
lied by the educational authorities OF
the state, to overcome the deplorable
condition. The pulpit, the newspapers
and the schools are the great forces
that are being organized.
Propaganda seems unnecessary to
enlist the editors of the state in the
cause. They appreciate, perhaps more
than Others how necessary the news
paper is to civilization, and how es-
sential to good citizenship it is that
the citizen be qualified to read and
write.
Reading - reading the newspapers,
has become an element of everyday
life. Without the knowledge of what
the newspapers contain the citizen is
deficient in his equipment to meet the
exigencies of society, or business,
which arise continually in the daily
routine. The minimum limit to liter
acy as a qualification for citizenship
should be ability to read the newspa-
pers.
An editor, who has spent lifetime
in newspaper work, and who has seen
many changes in the history of print
ing and editing, calls attention to some
phases of the great institution that are
perhaps not noticed by the newspaper
reader of the day, and which contain
valuable hints of the real educational
value and practical utility of the news
paper press.
Newspaper No Longer Luxury.
The newspaper is no longer some
thing that is to be saved up and en-
joyed at leisure, principally contain
ing essays, abstract discussions and
weighty views of different people No
particular education is required to
read and understand it; it is little
more than succinct and terse bulle-
tin of leading events and personal
movements that mirrors the life of
the world and the local community,
each item of which, is only another
contribution of the sum total of the
citizens knowledge, enabling, he or
she, to live well and successfully, and
to properly function in the Individual
groove in the great system of civiliza-
ton.
A Present-Day Utility.
The change in the newspaper from
&c or oh 10 or fn itc I'D "
utility and convenience, has been
gradual, but marked by different Pc
RODS that are worth noting Prior to
about the year 1890, type on newspa-
pers was set by hand, and the size of
the paper was limited on this account.
Alfred Harmsworth, now Lord North
cliffe, was at least one of those who
had the vision that the business world
then required condensed news, to be
produced, of course, within the limits
OF the mechanical possibilities of the
time. He started the tabloid newspa-
per- giving all news in the form of
short bulletins, without display, and
with few heads. The venture was pop
ular, especially among business men
who could gather the principal events |
of the day with time-saving glance |
The plan was followed by leading
American dailies, notably prominent !
Chicago paper. But along came the |
perfected linotype, by which one man
could set as much type as from four
to eight could by hand; this caused |
papers to enlarge and all news matter
was padded For years the quality of
news gave place to the quantity; the
man with the biggest paper was the
yellow" journalism become danger
ously common, and trivial incidents
were magnified into big stories by
sheer weight of big heads aided by
reporters who were al
lowed free rein; while the sob sister
spread weeps all over the place
More News Now Than Formerly.
Later the methods of newsgathering
have become more varied and more
efficient and the volume of copy has
not because of padding or
If yellow methods, but because there
IS more news to print daily, and the
papers in order to keep the size of
heir different publications within rea-
son, are literally forced to again con-
tense news matter. This has given
Use to the development of a race of
'eporters who are models for the use
If pure language and for clean, brief
md business-like statement of facts.
Fhe best newspapers of the day print
he news without color or comment, I
Except in the editorial columns. Such
newspapers are as stated, necessary Il