Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-11
HIGHER |DEAL|SM
FOR PRESS URGED.
Ludlow Hits CommerciaIism
and Standardized Means
OF Writing in Talk.

Advocating departure from stand
ardization through syndication of news
writings and urging abandonment of
commercialization as the sole motive of
publishing. Representative Louis Lud-
low of Indiana, former president of the
National Press Club, addressing a
round table conference of journalistic
students from local and nearby uni
versities at George Washington Uni
versity this morning. pleaded for greater
ideaIism and individualism in news
papers.
The conference for the purpose Of
organizing IN association of college
publications here is being attended by
the representatives of American Uni
verSity, Catholic University, Georgetown
University. Trinity College and George
Washington University. Hernart Angel,
editor of the George Washington Uni
versity Ratchet, is presiding.
Besides Representative Ludlow, Rich-
ard V. Oulahan. Washington corre-
Spondent of the New York Times, spoke
just before the morning session of the
conference was adjourned for luncheon.
DR.. Cloyd Heck Marvin, president Of
George Washington University, was
host to the publications representatives
at the Cosmos Club.
The conference will reconvene this
afternoon. at which time actual organ
ization of the proposed association will
be considered If organization is voted
for. officers will be elected late today
The conference is being held at the
invitation of the George Washington
publications committee.
Commenting upon the passing of the
journalistic Gge of such editors as Hal
stead, Greeley, Dana. Reid and BowleS
who contributed much to the molding
Of public opinion, Mr.. Ludlow, who
spent 81 years in newspaper work, de-
clared that the editor who believes his
paper should be nothing more than
mirror of life" falls short of the re-
sponsibility of his profession. Com
mercialism, he said, is overshadowing
idealism in modern journalism.
Speaking by and large" Ludlow con-
tinued. at believe that If the press Of
this Republic would devote itself little
more to idealiStic conceptions and hu-
manitarian efforts, and little less to
the financial rule of thumb, it not only
would continue to thrive in a material
sense, but the human race would be
immeasurably better off. The press Is
infinitely more than business. It Is
a social service, an instrumentality of
spiritual potentialities that is vitality i'm
portant in the life of the Nation itself.
The newspaper has outgrown the look
ing-glaSs stage and must develop along
lines of public service il it is to perform
its heaven-sent mission"
Commenting further upon editorial
duties and responsibilities. Mr.. Ludlow
commended The Star for its expert
ment" in withholding the details of
Hickman kidnapingmurder case of
California. He expressed the hope that
eventually every yellow paper in the
country will become known and branded
as exotic" and that the conscience Of
people will establish the
principle that a publisher is not doing
his duty to his community II he sells
papers at the expense of common
decency."
In his plea for a return to journal
istic individualism Mr.. Ludlow declared
that lin our country. more than in any
other individuality has become sunk in
an amazing growth of Standardization
Continuing, he said:
I'VE find the same features, the same
comics, the same thoughts on the same
days in newspapers from the. Atlantic;
to the Pacific. This not only depfives
readers Of the charm of in
dividuality and naturalnesS, but, in my
judgment. puts a blight on the spiritual
and uplifting possibilities OF the press