Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-09-26
AMERICAN PRESS
EFFORTS LAUDED
Carl W. Alderman Points Out
Newspaper Achievements
During Past Year.
BY the Associated Press.

UurIng PaSt rear.
BY the Associated Press. -*
NEW YORK, September 26.-Achieve-
ments of the American press in the
past year were pointed out yesterday
by Carl w. Alderman, dean Of the Co.
lumbia University School Of Journal
ism, as proof of the rights Of journal
ism to full public recognition as a
profession
The conduct Of newspapers in this
country '"in a year which tested the
character and resources Of every human
activity" had not only established the
right of recognition as a profession
Dean Alderman said, but had also
proved that journalism as business
is a public service unique in American
economics"
His findings were contained In
survey of the press for the past year
as a part of his first annual report on
the school to President Nicholas Muir
ray Butler.
Advancing Profession.
Journalism Is advancing as pro-
fession with a momentum that Is des-
tined to continue, despite the prevail
ing stagnation in advertising revenue.
the survey declares, "for two funda-
mental reasons:
"l-Because the success of journal
ism as a business depends upon its
progress as a profession. and
"2-Because journalism Is the chief
agency Of our present civilization for
the advancement of human relation
ships.
las news provides the sinews Of pub
lie opinion. the newspaper today Is in
dispensable in all public affairs, and as
long as the principal functions Of the
state, the church, the home, the school
and business are dependent upon public
action the press will advance as q pro-
fession.
LAS long as advertising is necessary
in commerce and industry the press will
grow as a business by serving the basic
economic function of bringing buyers
and sellers together anywhere at any
time.
Our confidence in the future OF
Journalism is founded upon these fun
damentals."
As a gauge of the newspapers main
VI lCddCl SOi WIG tAAC ooA Wy
cites the volume Of the press associa-
tons reports.
No News Decline.
In spite of the depression" 1t states,
there has been no apparent decline in
the volume Of news as sent out to the
newspapers of the country by the lead
ing press associations. Statistics fur
nished by the press services reveal that
the total volume of news measured by
wordage) carried on their wires Is ap-
proximately the same today as it was
in 1929"
within the limits of time and hu-
man efficiency the press Is developing
greater independence, impartiality and
accuracy. day by day and year by year,
he says.
Discussing occasions when reporterV
and editors are not fully informed by
those vino possess authoritative in
formation" Dean Alderman predicted
that some day in the not far distant
future the rights Of the public rep
resented by the reporter will be recog-
nized as superior to the rights of the
official or corporation, and the press
will have more accurate and more re-
liable sources Of information"
Outstanding Features.
In surveying the press during tbs
past year, Dean Alderman says the fol-
lowing is features stand out in clear
perspective:
/. The completed and authoritative
coverage Of the news and the editorial
understanding. balance and perspective
of the New York Times"
2. The initiative and courage" OF
the New York Herald Tribune and its
political inpartiality In providing ar
editorial forum for Walter Lippmann
3. The maintenance Of newspaper
calculations to within 1872 per cent oil
that for 1929. the peak.
4. Excellence Of newspaper manage
ment which, the survey finds, exceeds
ment.
S. Maintenance Of reportorial stand
vertising revenue. Mention is made OF
the work submitted to the Pulitzer jury
and the award to five reporters on the
Detroit Free Press
6. Increase interest in science news.
Z. Conservation of the common pro-
prieties of the language by copy desks
8. Ability Of newspapers to mobilize
reportorial and editorial resources" fol
the economic emergency $50 that al
major developments were reported ant
interpreted concurently.'
Typographical Progress.
9. Typographical progress. Mention
Is made of the award of the Francis
Wayland Aver Cup for excellence ir
Typography to the Hartford Couran1
and certificates Of merit to the Newarl
Evening News, the New York Herald.
Tribune, the New York American, the
Detroit Free Press and the Baltimore
Sun.
10. The American Society of News
paper Editors adoption of a constitu-
tional amendment empowering itself te
expel members who violate ethics.
IL. Adoption of an ethical code by the
Advertising Federation Of America.
the codes of other advertising organ
izations.
IS. Outstanding public services by
newspapers. The tax reduction cam
paign Of the Indianapolis News. which
won it the Pulitzer Prize, is cited as an
IA. Promotion of public welfare by
the press The report cites the Buffalo
New York; Evening News for uncov.
ering graft in State building project
the New York World Telegram for ar
investigation of the sale Of loose milk
the Mansfield Douisiana) Enterprise. q
weekly, for supporting a campaign
which increased the local crops: the
Minneapolis Tribune for Recognized
leadership in the agricultural life anc
progress of the Northwest; the st
Louis Post Dispatch for an article
EDUCATIONAL,