The Washington times., 1924-06-17
/ HEARST S.
/ 0RES|GE, POLICY ]
. REPORT TOLD
Publisher Reveals His Opinion
on Vital Questions in :
Modern journalism


Copyright, 1924 BY Editor and Publisher.
( NEW YORK, = June l7.-Wil-
liam Randolph Hearst. ia an ex-
traordinary interview exclusively
granted to Editor and Publisher
this week, clearly revealed his
opinion and policy on vital ques-
tions in Journalism.
Following his custom IN recent
years, Mr.. Hearst chose to prepare
textual replies to q series of formal
questions. Editor and Publisher
prepared Is questions, specifying
that Mr.. Hearst might feel free
to disregard any one of them. He
answered them all, debating HE
replies to his secretary.
ais It true that your attention Is to
possess one hundred netcSpGperS IN the
Emited St0tesP" was the first question
asked.
Mr.. Hearst said: II have no in
tention 10 possess any given number
of newspapers nor any plan to
possess any more newspapers or 10
take on any more work or trouble.
But occasionally SOMEBODY wants
to get rid of a paper and tries to
sell II to me, and IL think can
see a way to make It a success. L
am very likely to take over the
job and try out my program"
~ "GrdHted that you believe in
your 0tcn editorial policies, still as a
citiseM do you helieue that it Is good
public policy for one mortal man to
possess the great potUer that is in
herent in the control OF so many
netcSpGperS?
Mr.. Hearst said: I'm the first
place, l have not so many news.
papers, There are twenty-five hun
dred newspapers in the United
States, ana 1 have twenty-three
newspapers. No very menacing
monopoly in that proportion, I
should say
In the second place there are
ten times as many newspapers as
possess, owned by reactionary and
predatory interests that endeavor
to use them in their schemes to ex.
plot the public.
And, therefore, 1t Is not only not
dangerous but exceedingly beneficial
from a public viewpoint to have a
few groups of newspapers like the
Scrtpps' Howard papers and mins,
owned and operated in support of
progressive policies, and to protect
the public's property and privileges.
In the third place, no newspaper
has power for long IL It misuses il
which Is the saving situation in
the possession OF newspapers by
public exploiters: and perhaps, too.
with respect to any individuals or
interests.
I'VE all know many cases where
policies and nominees have failed
OF public approval although ever y
newspaper in the community sup
ported them. or have secured public
approval although every newspaper
opposed them.
The American people. are an in.
dependently thinking people.
newspapers do not form the
opinion Of the public; but If they are
TO be successful. they must express
the opinion OF the public"
(S) "Hoto Is II possible for you or
any man to delegate authority Uhich
ictH guarantee an adm Illustration of a
newspaper IN distant city iohich tciII
De Idtr ana just to readers III local
matters, concerning tchich you could
not possibly haze f"H intorm0tionf" :
The assumption that I cannot
lind able men in a community to
conduct newspaper as well as /
would IL / were on the ground IL
piece Of stupid conceit of which
] am not guilty.
organize our Papers with the
best men available In a community
tcOnunned On Rags y Column ~