Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-14
FREEDOM OF PRESS
DEFENDED BY REED
IN TALK TO EDITORS

Continued from First Pagel
restrictions that were imposed on free
speech in those days There never
was a time when a man in England
could not oppose the prosecution Of
the World War, or the Acts of the
government. But In America we could
be sent to jail for such criticism
Senator Reed entered the room
while the meeting was discussing the
ethics of journalism. He seized the
occasion to tell some Of the editors,
who came here for the meetings from
many parts Of the country, what he
thought OF their ethics. He added
that If time permitted, he would like
nothing better than to lock the doors
and make them listen to all he would
like to say on that subject.
Cleveland Editor Speaks.
+. c. H0pwood, editor Of the Cleve-
land Plain Dealer and president OF
the society, raised the question OF
The recent invasions OF journalistic
rights" in his opening address. Mr..
Hopwood said he referred to the ar
rest of newspa per men in several In
stances during the past year for al
legged contempt OF court and to at
and .photogra piers who were cover
ing" recent textile strikes In New
Jersey.
In some OF these cases, the editors
OF the newspa pers offended had APP
pea led to him to make an investiga-
ton and seek the co operation of this
meeting of the American Society OF
Newspa per Editors to prevent repeti-
ton in the future. Having no funds,
Mr.. Hopwood was obliged to resort
to writing letters to each side in the
controversies. As result. he ad-
mitted his inability to decide the Jus
tice of either side.
"Must be No Invasion"
while the liberty of the press
must never be mistaken for license.
he continued. there must he no In .
vasion Of the rights of the press. III
we are to go into that field OF our
nrofession. we must have funds Tor
that purpose. 1t is my belief that
a. fund Of S25, 900 a year would be
none to large to employ investiga :
tors and adequate counsei In cases
where it seems the rights or Tree
press have been invaded
Turning to another phase Of the
journalistic profession, Mr.. Hopwood
expressed a personal fear that edi'
tors show too great tendency to re-
sent criticism directed against them
selves or their articles. Newspapers,
he said. must learn that nothing In
society is immutable, that the press
must learn to change with the times
and that at Ia not the part of wise
men to cry down criticism
Profession On Upgrade.
In conclusion. he expressed belief
that "A a whole the profession OF
Journalism is on the upgrade In
America. He has noticed in the past
wear growing sense ct fairness
among editors, and greater EFFORTS TO
keep the public informed on tine
events that are taking place IN ali
lands without bias" He expressed re-
rret that some few have persisted In
publishing things that are offensive
10 good taste and the tenets OF good
morals"
William Allen White, as chairma n
Of the committee on ethics. reported
that he and his associates had at
tempted to pursue study OF the
ethics of journalism during the last
year, but that they were obliged to
return with the admission that they
had no idea Of what the ethics are"
I'm fact" he added, 1--WE have
come back to ask for further instruc;
TONS
Shall our ethics apply t, advertis.
ing, as well as the news and editor.
ial columne?" he asked. "Of what
use are high and noble editorial
standards when we turn right around
and buy syndicate stuff that Ii Ad-
dressed to nnorons? Again, what
right have w to buy circulAtion--ck-