The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-02-27
The World Telegram


The ingredients harmonic in the merger an
nounced today Of the New York World and the New
York Telegram. They blend naturally. There is
nothing in the nature Of oil-and-water about the
transaction.
That fact is vital to the World-Teleram's ca
pacty for future journalistic service It is likewise
vital to the whole Scrpps- Howard organization, Of
which The Indianapolis Times is part Il was an
outstanding consideration on both sides Of the ne
gotiadons through which the consolidation was ef-
fected.
Through half a century the institution which Jo-
seph Pulitzer founded and that founded by E. W.
scrpps have been working in separate ways toward
a common end.
The ideal which has characterized the World un-
der Pulitzer ownership has characterized the Tele-
gram under scripps- Howard ownership. To it in
single sentence that ideal is: Liberalism, indie
pendence consideration for those who have no other
spokesman, and a deep faith in the ability of the
common man, given fair deal. to better himself.
While means toward the end have differed, the OBJ
Jective has remained constant.
Though they did not know each other, and never
met E. w. Scripps and Joseph Pulitzer saw alike as
TO the fundamental mission Of newspaper.
1t CHANGED that they started their major careers in
the same year. though in cities far apart. To the
reader of those days. accustomed to publications spon
sored by and serving special interests an independ-
ent journalism was something new and strange.
Pulitzer and scripps saw the deadening influence Of
entangling alliances. They saw that the duty of a
newspaper ran to its readers onyto all its readers;
not to any single group, social, political financial
Scripps said in his first issue
eve have no politics. that is. in the sense Of the
word as commonly used We are not Republicans, not
Democrats, not Greenback, not Prohibitionists. We
simply intend to support good men and condemn bad
ones, support good measures and condemn bad ones
no matter what party they belong to.
1--WE shall tell no lies about persons policies for
love malice or money It is no part Of newspapers
business to array itself on the side Of this or that
party or fight lie or wrangle for it."
Pulitzer said:
Never tolerate injustice or corruption, always
fight demagogs Of all parties never belong to any
party, always oppose privileged classes and public
plunoerers never lack sympathy with the poor, al
ways remain devoted to the public welfare, never be
satisfied with merely printing news, always be dras-
tcav independent, never be afraid to attack wrong,
whether by predatory plutocracy or predatory
poverty"
Each believed in printing the news as it happened,
accurately, without regard to personal opinion or
desire and uninfuenced by those who wanted some
thing put in, or something kept out.
And each believed the journalistic duty went
farther than that. Each viewed the editorial page
the page Of the papers opinion, as mighty weapon
in behalf Of the creed to which each was sworn
So, through half century, those purposes have
paralleled
Now they joined
The ideal lives iii a new generation. BY this con-
soidstion it's scope is enlarged its force multiplied
It is only natural therefore that each member
Of the Scripps- Howard organization joins with the
world-Telegram in the sentiment expressed in New
York today: I'VE view the future with mixed emo
tions-with elaton at the opportunity and with
humility before the greatness of the obligation"