The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1924-07-24
BROADCASTING MURDER
WAVES BY RADIO


to broadcast by radio the proceed
ings of the trial of the two young
sons of two millionaire Chicago mer-
chants for the murder of the four
teen year old son of another million
aire, strikes the average citizen with
mingled feelings Of disgust and in
dignation. The story of the crime
as confessed by the youthful kill
ers, in itself constitutes one OF the
most revolving chapters in the po-
lice records of this or any other
country. That it is now proposed
to broadcast to thousands and thou
sands of receiving stations through
out the land, the story as recounted
on the witness stand, embellished
with all it's narrowing and gruesome
details, reeking With its disclosures
of wanton cruelty and perverted
and distorted craving for unnatur-
al excitement and thrills, not only
is an act utterly reprehensible in
itself but denotes on the part of the
paper suggesting the plan an abso-
lutte lack of understanding and ap-
probation of its moral responsibility
to the public.
When a so-called great metropoli-
tan newspaper sinks to this method
of self-advertising it should bring a
sense of regret to the newspaper
profession of the nation. That an
influence so powerful for good
should prostitute its position and
opportunity and become the channel
throuh which the homes of the ma
ton shall be flooded with the debas-
ing, degrading and demoralizing
story of such a crime in all its lurid
and sordid detail, should bring forth
vigorous denunciation and protest
from the press of the nation, in or
der that it's good repute may not
be furnished by the derelictiction of
one of its members. 1t is gratifying
to note the immediate revulsiOn of
feeling expressed by the ministerial
federation of Chicago following an
nouncement of the proposal and 1t Is
equally cause for commendation
that the Judge before whom the case
is to be tried voiced his emphatic
disapproval of any such proceeding.
However he said that whether such
plan would be permitted would be
left to the decision of the bar as
sociation of Chicago. 1t is to be
hoped the legal profession will ex-
ercise its opportunity in behalf of
decency. In commenting upon the
matter the presiding judge pointed
out that while he had authority to
81 TN
mature years during the trial of
cases in which salacious evidence
might be introduced of nature un-
tit for the ears of young boys and
girls he felt 1t his duty to call at
tention to the fact that there was no
authority anywhere vested in any
person to restrict or supervise the
audiences that might tune in on the
broadcasting of the story. While 1t
is inconceivable that such propos-
al should be permitted to be carried
throuh to contamination, the very
fact that it has been suggested may
serve to direct attention at an early |
stage in radio development to its |
possibility for evil that will result |
in protective measures being taken
at the start which will prevent
repetition of the conditions that
have cast blight upon the moving
picture industry. Let those whose
interests are inseparably connected
with radio development make no
mistake; the service supplied by
broadcasting must be kept upon a
high plane of morality, cleanness
and wholesomeness or federal legis-
lation of a regulatory nature is in
evitable. With the growing ten
dency for less governmental regula-
ton and supervision in Industrial
and commercial affairs, it is to be
hoped that the necessity for censor
ship of the radio may be avoided, but
it will only be avoided by keeping
the broadcasting service free from
those things which are unclean,
and unfit for the home and fireside.
In the last issue of this paper the :
possibilities of the radio as an i'm
portant factor in improving the sur
roundings and home life on the farms
If the nation was discussed editor
ALLY. Attention was called to the 7
lnequalled opportunity presented
Tor radio to becomS the greatest
actor in making more contented the
OF OF the rural population by bring 7
@ the farmers family the same
wholesome entertainment available
@ city jewellers. Already there
rave been installed radio receiving
ets In more than quarter million
arm homes Of the country. The :
department. Of agriculture is even
low making survey to ascertain
he kind of service most desired ~
he farmers from the various broad
asting stations and, II 1t should be
he alibi OF the Chicago newspaper
to broadcast the Franks
murder trial, that it is giving the |
eople what they want. the answer
nd REPUTATION is found In the fact
hat no single instance has yet been [