Evening star., 1923-07-08
True Picture Of American
Life Given by Newspapers

near those of the other side. This
is important and greatly to be
deplored in view of the fact that
great decisions in America are not
those handed down in litigation,
but rather those of the court of
public opinion, in which we try
our political. economic and social
causes. This may be a narrow
view on my part. coming as 1t
does from a heart grateful to the
newspapers Of the United States.
might pull down my window
blind and classify them as good.
bad and Indifferent, but II inter-
rogated ! should be compelled to
say that most newspapers. when
ever now and then they have paid
any attention to me, have been
more than kind. Even those edi-
tors who have felt It incumbent
upon them to criticize have been
charitable enough not to turn the
knife around after sticking 1t in
me.
Speaks Of Address.
j am led to make these obserya-
tions by the splendid address Of
Mr.. G. A. Lyon Of the Washington
Evening Star before the class in
journalism Of George Washington
University. He discussed editorial
writing, seeking to impress upon
the budding newspaper men and
women the newspaper viewpoint;
and well he performed his task. re-
fecting in his views the views Of
other great editors, past and pres
ent. His was viewpoint which
not only students of Journalism,
but the rewspaper-reading public.
could well adopt in good faith.
The news columns of the city
daily are moving pictures of the,
hopes and fears of the American
people. The camera is constantly
being turned by the reporter upon
an endless throng of individuals
and causes One man may be pic
tured by front view. another by
a side view, and still another by
a back view, but. by and large, the
newspapers give the man seeking
to know and honestly striving to
learn perfect vision. Out of the
composite pictures comes a nearly
perfect likeness. Any really great
newspaper knows that distortion
of man or of cause by inten-
tionally setting the camera at an
angle Will work no permanent in
jury. 1t well knows that the best
way either to promote or to i'm
pede is TO tell the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth.
But l pass from the collection and
dissemination of news to the work
OF an editor. which Mr.. Lyon de-
scribed as interpretative and ar
gumentative. / interpose that 1
have no objection to any cause
having an organ and an editor.
Neither organ nor editor can de-
stroy the influence Of a right-pur-
posed man or long impede the
progress OF an honest cause.
The great war disclosed the COM
mon fallacy that newspapers are
wholly selfish. All other influences
which sought to eoalesce American
thought were negligible in COM
parison with the service and sac
riflce Of the great newspapers.
which set their hearts and hands
TO the task. regardless OF politics
and everything else. And more
than any one agency in American
life today they are striving to pre-
sent and interpret to the American
people the complex problems which
confront them. Out of this pres
entation and Interpretation by
editors a people that keeps Its
head cool and it's feet dry may
hope to walk steadily toward the
point where each individual can
reach just conclusion as TO what
is best to be done.
Copyrighted, 1923. 21st Century Press.)