Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-07-28
Impressed with
Alaskan Papers

Seattle, Wash, July 27-(By A. P.)
President Harding, appearing be-
fore the Seattle Press club after his
review today in the harbor here OF
virtually the entire United States
battle fleet, declared that until the
day comes when nations abandon use
of armed forces America shall find
her assurance in a navy of the first
rank.
I'VE were building two years ago at
a rate that would have placed our
armed sea power in excess of any
other power, but in conviction that
armament cost and competition was
leading to menacing national burdens,
we invited an international confer
ence to fix limitations" the President
added. I'VE asked equality with the
first rank for ourselves and were
accorded it. Let us hope our con-
grcss. with the cordial sanction of the
American people, will continue that
first rank. i believe our obligation
to the wOrl means the most exact
ing restriction of our maintenance
within the maximum Limitation fixed
by the conference and l believe our
clear duty to ourselves is to main
tain the equality provided in that
maximum until a new baptism of in
ternational conscience preScribes a
joint action toward reduction or COM
piete adjustment"
In addition to his observations on
the question of naval power, Mr.
Harding said that those of us who
think we know great lots about
newspaper making, may learn some
very simple fundamentals by going
to Alaska"
Il found myself" he continued,
"involuntarily doffing my hat to the
editor and publisher, who succeeds in
maintaining daily issue in town of
eight to twelve hundred people, where
the circulation maximum cannot cX-
coed two to three hundred copies.
refrain from an attempted analysis of
the relation of the value of adver-
Using to it's cost, but the community
value of the publication will remain
unchallenged.
There is a limited reflex of the big
news of the world, with a larger rela
tive regard for pugilism than world
politics. but human interest is fairly
satisfied with the tabloid story of
world events. Doubtless the Alaskan
community is quite as well nourished
mentally with its restricted news diet
as are some of us who find our nau-
seated way, if we read our newspa-
pers fully, through elaborated and
expatiated stories of crime and scan
dial, and wander through haze of
speculative politics.
THE big asset in the successful
Alaskan sheet is the home news and
when the final analysis of the making
of a newspaper is written. here is the
secret of most newspaper successes.
Give me a newspaper which is a true
reflex of the community it serves and
know l am reading an index of de-
pendable public opinion as well as
potent agent in moulding that opin-
ion.
"An impressive feature Of Alaskan
press was its manifest honesty, Oft
times revealing an appealing frank
ness. An honest and an intelligent
press. which necessitates a highly
purposed press, affords limitless OPP
portunity for community service and
the loftiest employment in life.
Let those of us who find pride
in association with the making of
American press the best press in the
world resolve upon a full appraisal
of our responsibilities and see that
conscience is maintained as editor in
chief and that accomplishment writes
the big beats which are ever giving
exhiliarating thrill to the daily
grind"