Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-10-06

IN prdctlcaily every tOWH IL was
found that a great many OF the vo-
tiers were not familiar with the ques-
ton and the arguments for or
against the measure. In towns where
there was a full and complete dis
cussion of the measure. there was a
much larger vote in comparison to
the votes cast than where nothing
was said. and it was apparent in
looking over this vote, to see how
small the vote was n the communi-
ties where the local paper did not
give the readers their full value Of
the subscription price, by stating
conditions as they existed and ex-
pressing views on the matter. This
is but an example of the opportuni-
ties that come to the newspaper edi-
tor and shows in one instance where
the influence OF the local paper would
have been or was of great benefit to
the community. People on the whole
are open to Information, especially
when they have not had occasion to
formulate an opinion. and, when
they are in that condition, fair
statement of facts on each side and
a conclusion drawn from such gives
not only the editor an opportunity
to keep his readers informed on live
topics, but he has a chance to show
his individuality, and better the COM
munity by taking a part in the ac-
tivities OF his section. The editor
who is so careless as not to have
an interest In his readers and
fill his columns with matter that
fills up" without being Of any inter-
est, is passing away, as well as the
editor who will accept any copy that
comes to his desk, without a careful
reading. In many Offices every mail
carries matter enough to fill an ordi-
nary paper, II he would accede to the
smooth requests of the promoters
who would have his advertising, ap-
pearing in the disguise of reading
matter, printed as such, and many OF
them get by with 1t. The country
weekly editor has in many cases
been an easy mark for the man who
is always after newspaper space, the
editors stock in trade, without pay
ing for 1t, but, thanks to the educa-
liOI1 WlliCll IS DtlliS, SuIIiGu vi, ltNSl
are caught each year.
Advertising
There is also the Advertising
Agency who in asking for an adver-
Using contract has certain clauses in
the reading matter of such contract
which rebound to their benefit. and
which if accepted by the paper will
mean a loss to him. There are still
a few concerns trying to work the
country editor by offering him less
price than actual cost to the paper,
yet many of these contracts are ac-
copied for fear that the paper VIII
lose the contract unless it accedes to
the demand.
Those of you who were present at
the last annual meeting held in
Portland will remember the question
of the F'irestone advertising, which
was discussed and a resolution Of
fered and passed. In many instances
the contract under the plan used by
this concern was cancelled and a re-
fusal to allow them the agency COM
mission was made, yet they came
back with a new contract and the
papers have accepted the proposition
with a fiat rate and no commission.
They seem to so on the principle that
they do not get anything unless they
ask for it, and if they do not get it,
take what they can get, yet from
the standpoint Of the editor firm
stand for a living price will generally
win out.
The question Of rates according to
circulation has been worked out by
the National Editorial Association
and gives the right price for space
used according to the circulation and
can be had from the Porte Publishing
Co, the publishers of the Franklin
Price List. This was published as
sheet for the Franklin Price List I'M
der the heading Of Report Of Adver-
Using Committec' under date of
January %, 1920. and may be OBJ
tanned by writing them.
Many editors do not appreciate
the value of such meetings as this
one and sometimes they look too
much at the value Of it in dollars and
cents, but if any class of people are
as much benefited by getting togeth-
or as the newspapers, with the posi-
bic exception of the politicians, l do
rot know who they are.
The work of the association during
the past year has been very satisfac-
tory to those having the work in
charge and, while the support given
them has been much more than in
years gone by, there is still chance
for Improvement and there is no
logical reason why this support
should not be given whole heartedly,
not only by paying the dues but by
attendance at meetings and using the
advantages that such membership
carries with it. The price lists which
have been sent out by the secretary
from time to time have seemed to
have accomplished their purpose, and,
while the idea is not to compete in
any way with the Maine Typothatae
or the Franklin Price List, it has in
many instances brought about the
use Of these two latter, for there are
some printers who have been going
along without any regular selling list
and after using the Maine list they
have gradually "secn the light and
realized that selling printing is the
same as any manufactured article
and by selling at list price the
manufacturer is doing nothing more
than an automobile tire manufacturer
is doing selling from a list that re-
turns fair profit to the producer.
On the whole prosperity seems to
have been with the newspaper men
and printers all over the State dur