The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-06-15
INK INSPIRATIONAL ...... .....
(By GUY FLENNER)


II newspaper men were to follow
the urging of some of their friends
there would be just one thing in their
columns-politics. That they give
their ability and utilize their space,
for so many other far more important
subjects constitutes a tribute to their
judgment and to their loyalty to the
vital factors of community and state
building. Few people may appreciate
the great work the newspaper men of
Idaho are doing for these worth
while things-these constructive, up
building things. The editors them
selves may be too modest. Anyway,
one never sees self praise in their
papers. The writer knows the great
work they have done and are doing
and wants to write something about
it. If that be immodest, so be it.
The newspapers did not start any
war, but it would have been very diff
ficult to have properly presented the
case of the good old u. S. A. if it had
not been for their patriotic and untir-
ing presentations. In recruiting, in
selling bonds and war stamps, in food
saving-what might have been the re-
suit If the editors of Idaho had de-
voted their time to partisan politics
or had just folded their hands.
The newspapers did not directly
build any reservoirs, or any railroads
or telephone extensions, all so nee
essary to our development, or start
things going in the timber or the
mines or revive the livestock indus
try or invest millions in the dairy
business, but II they had devoted to
partisan politics during the past few
years the same energy and space they
used in behalf of those vital develop
ments in our state, our own people
would never have been awakened to
the necessity Of cooperation and out
side investors would have passed us
up as being dead ones.
Reference is made in this contrast
to partisan politics because there are
any number of people who have an
idea a newspaper is merely a politi-
cal vehicle. This may be because It's
political utterances arouse unforget-
table interest in view of heat of the
campaign and also because political
propagandists are always seeking and
getting newspaper notoriety through
resentation Of their novelties. The
fact is, however, that the newspapers
devote the greater part Of their ef-
forts to presenting the less dramatic
facts bearing upon the substantial
development of their communities ana
their state.
The writer has been keeping tab IN
this situation and knows whereof he
types. A careful measurement and
shows that 70 per cent
Of the news" and editorial space Of
Idaho newspapers for the past three
months has been given over to min
ing, livestock, dairying, reclamation.
railroad construction, telephone devel-
opment, commercial activities and
kindred subjects. Twenty per cent
was local news and the balance pc.
litical propaganda, boiled down in
most cases and used by many appar-
emily as filters
Readers ought to appreciate that
sort of work. 1t is no time for pol
tics. Let's forget it until there is
necessity for it. It's the most disrup-
i've agency in our material, and, in
Measure. in our moral programs. On
he contrary, it is the time to back up
he work of the editors to get for our
state new construction, new popula-
ion and new investment.
1.-The Ink Inspirational" 1t is
when smeared right. When not it IS
depressing, demoraliz-
ng, destructive. The ink Of Idaho ed
tors, with mighty few exceptions, is
he good, old fashioned black-noth-
ng red about it. 1t is being utilized
~ great constructive force. Every
me should appreciate that fact and
get in line with the efforts-not only
With kindly thoughts and an occas-
onal word of encouragement and
praise, but with orders for subscrip-
ions for their families and for their
friends in the east; and business men |
who, above all others, should be con-
,erned, ought to remember it when |
hey are urged to send their printing |