Evening star., 1928-03-11
Capital Sidelights

Tribute to the American press Is
paid by Representative Connally OF
Texas In a speech printed in the Con-
gress!onal Record. in which he says:
"A press of independence, press
whose business Office shall not oyerawe
It's editorial rooms, a press whose
columns carry the truth. a press OF
high courage and patriotism: Is one
OF the richest possessions OF free
people" And he particularly urges
that such a press should be supported
If it conscientiously and fearlessly per-
forms its duty toward the public.
Upon the press" he says, there
rests a peculiar duty to the public.
1t subsists upon public patronage. It's
very life depends upon the hearing
which 1t receives. It's fortunes vibrate
as does that Of the ear drum OF the
public. II owes to It's readers and to
the pukl!c an obligation to rotate fullv
the facts regarding the Government
and public affairs. 1t possesses facili-
ties for ascertaining accurate and COM
and issues which the citizen as an in
dividual can never possess. In its
larger sweep 1t Is both the eye and
the ear Of the citizen. He may read
the history OF the past In books. He
reads the history OF today In the press
But If the press owes duty to the
public, there rests upon the public a
very distinct obligation to the press,
and that Is the obligation to support It,.
Many forms of service are rendered by
the newspaper. The paper Of purely
local circulation, as well as the paper
of wide circulation. performs valuable
function. The country weekly just as
the city daily has its sphere Of service.
fs@v-a ftty o&xttA %Etc &c
make many drafts upon its columns for
which there Is no monetary return.
The editor Is expected to lead In local
enterprises. His time and talents are
drafted. Charitable and public organ
iZatiOnS must be served. The press
should have the financial support of
the public which 1t serves. 1t ought to
be independent In purse as well as in
thought. Advertisers and readers are
just as necessary as news. The press
cannot render the highest service when
the editor must constantly fight for
financial existence. If the press is to
support the cause Of the public. 1t must
- turn have the support Of the press "
y n y
Senator Watson OF Indiana. In a
speech telling why he was sponsoring
the bill to legalize amateur boxing in
the District OF Columbia. recalled that
as boy he had a playmate with whom
he engaged in rOugh-and-tumble sports.
This playmate went off to college, and
when he came home for vacation they
resumed their interrupted comradeship.
Then one day the young collcgian pro-
posed that they settle some of their diff
ferences In a pugilistic argument In
about 10 minutes the college trained
man gave such conclusive fistic argu-
mentS that ever since Senator Watson
has had the greatest respect for ANA
teur boxing. scientifically taught. so
that young man knows how to take
care OF himself In physical encounter.
~ #
Representing nearly Is years OF in
tensive. specialized study. Representa-
tive Clarence Cannon. Democrat. of
Missouri. who represents the great
Champ Clarks former district in Con-
gress. has just distributed among his
colleagues and others most intimately
concerned In such matters a very help
full. authoritative leather-bound hand
book on procedure In the House of
Representatives. The answers to the
thousands OF vexatious questions that
bother members of Congress and those
NLiO IldtC 10 uU Nltil le6ASidtAfe lOIiIlS
and practices are 10 be found In this
compact guide.
Before coming to the National Cap
ital. Mr.. Cannon was a practicing law
yer. He was appointed parliamentarian
to Speaker Champ Clark and continued
In that important post during Demo-
cratic and Republican administrations.
He was parliamentarian Of the Demo-
cratic national conventions in San
Francisco In 1920 and In New York In
1924 He Is editor of two editions OF
the Manual and Digest OF the House of
Representatives" and author of Syn
opSis OF Procedure of the House" and Of
Procedure In the House OF Representa-
tivcs." published by resolution Of the
House. He Is editor and compiler OF
"Precedents of the House OF Repre-
sentatives." by act OF Congress.