New Britain herald., 1924-10-28
DISCUSSING THE PRESS WITH REy. DAVIS


 The Rev, John T.. Davis. pastor o'. Trinity Methodist church, evil dentIy doesn't think the nows- papers are perfect organs of pub licity At the Everyman's Bible class Sunday he voiced the belief that one must know the partisan bias of a newspaper before accent ing it as a faithful guide, or words to that effect.
 The gentleman is entitled to his opinion, whatever it may be, about the newspapers, and he probably won't feel discouraged when he finds one discussing his statement.
 Most newspapers nowadays show no partiality in presenting the news as 1t happens. If there are any exceptions to the general rule 1t does not affect the general prin- ciple that a correct presentation of news, so far as it is humanly pos- sible to obtain it, is current in modern newspaper offices.
 There are various kinds of news papers, to be sure, and it is news papers of general circulation, as distinct from class circulation, that are being discussed. There is no reason why newspaper, founded to further the cause of labor, should not emphasize the side of labor; nor a newspaper founded to pro- mitigate the capitalistic viewpoint should not lean towards capitalism. The main point is that, in either case, the publication does not, knowingly or unwttingly, sail un- der false colors and claim to be independent and nonpartisan when in fact it isn't. The same rule holds good for religious and political or gans.
 It is a certainty that news paper which represents the general public, which appeals to all classes, cannot afford to displease one class by fayoring another. Wherever it has been tried the support and good will of the general public has been alienated.
 The weekly newspaper publica- tion, Labor" is supported by labor and nobody would expect il to be nonpartisan on questions af- fecting labor; the Boston News Bureau serves financial interests by giving finance news in detail and in large quantities and nobody ex. poets it to uphold the views ot labor. There are a few class news, papers, and it is quite likely tha' the number of them showing { tendency to favor labor out number those which frank! . favor capitalism.
 The largest number of news papers, however, are of the typ, which honestly attempt to repre- . sent all classes 'of society and ar, nonpartisan in economics and non partisan in politics in their new columns. The distinction betweel the news columns and the edi torial columns must be kept il mind, as 1t is entirely legitimat, for a newspaper to be bipartisan il its news columns and further an, cause 1t sees fit to follow in it editorial columns. But some news papers-and their number is grow ing ycarly--are also wholly inde pendent In their editorial column as well as in their ncws columns.
 It is worth reminding Mr Davi that newspaper Of news unpar tisanship which represents al classes of society. cannot be blin' to the proper presentation of argu ment in its news columns whe credited to their spokcsmen, Be cause the Herald. for instance, re ports in its news columns d spcec by President Coolidge is not sayin fl agrees with what the prcsiden may say; and the same holds tru of assertions reported by John W Davis. the Democratic candidate, 0 Robert LaFollette, the Progrossiv candidate: and the same holds tru of any spokesman in their behal
 The same principle is maintaine in the reports of other members society. When the Herald report a speech by Rev. Mr. Davis if no sign that it likes what he saJ and therefore wants its readers know Of it; such a report is mad entirely upon the basis of its new value. ..-.
 Rev. Mr. Davis referred to Bridgeport minister who read headline" and made a statemer based upon it and go, u'..sr-lf int