Evening star., 1932-04-24
EDITORS REFLECT
SOCIETY OFFICERS
Annual Convention Ends With
Banquet "Not for
Publication"

With reelection of incumbent officers
the American Society of Newspaper
Editors yesterday concluded its tenth
annual convention, after a three-day
session at the National Press Club
Last night the editors held their BAN
quet at the Willard, but it was mot
publication" event.
Those officers again chosen by the
board of directors were: Fred Fuller
Shedd, Philadelphia Evening Bulletin,
president; Paul Bellamy, Cleveland
Patterson, Toledo Blade, second vice
president; E. S. Beck, Chicago Tribune,
treasurer, and A. H. Kirchhofer, Buffalo
Evening News, secretary.
Earlier Mr. Beck, Mr.. Bellamy and
Casper S. Yost of the st. Louis Globe
Democrat and Walter M. Harrison of
the Oklahoma City Oklahoman, whose
terms as directors were expiring, also
were reelected.
Discount Relief Problems.
In their concluding business sessions
the editors surveyed a wide field, the
principal place on their program being
given to discussion of relief problems.
This round table was led by Louis
Brownlow, former District Commits
sioner. and now director of the Public
Administration Clearing House in Chi
cago. who hit at the theory that the
Government must cut down on its ex-
perses because private industry was do
ing so He insisted the Government
must continue to care for citizens
forced out of jobs by business.
The economic situation also was
touched on by William Allen White.
editor of the Emporia tKans) Gazette,
who said current conditions were
Oh sfhaPolIcn have made
a mess of the distributive system
Mr.. White voiced fears that under
present circumstances some rabble-
rousing. IRON -jawed, loose mouthed
demagogue will get in charge OF the
situation" and expressed hope for
better distribution of the common
wealth.
A resolution pertinent to the present
situation adopted by the society,
in which it recognizes the foment OF
the popular mind in this period of eco
nonic disturbances, with its accom-
panying problems of governmental,
corporate and individual management.
expresses the belief that as the result
of this disturbance there will be an
urge for change and for experiment In
the American program, in political, IN
commercial, industrial and social pro-
cedure," then adds:
society declares II W US lilC
consensus of opinion tha;;
The newspapers of the United States
are the natural forum Tor the discus
sion of such problems before the people
and by the people.
Nothing to Be Feared.
THAT it is a part of newspaper Serv-
fee to furnish opportunity and means
for such discussion.
THAT there is nothing to be feared
from such discussion and that, to the
contrary. there is greater danger in the
promotion of fallacieS by other means
available for propaganda than If such
proposals were given their place in the
open forum of the press, where there
would be immediate opportunity for
their discussion and their illumination
and their testing by the truths and
principles of the American form of
government and the experience and ira
ditions in the development of that plan.
THAT the American newspapers,
through their editorial pages, supple
menting the use of their news columns,
have an opportunity and a responsible
ity in the present situation to encourage
and develop right thinking on the part
of the newspaper-reading public and to
do their full part in the clariflcatlon OF
ideas and consequent actions.
THAT the people look to the press as
never before for leadership and that
the press solemnly and confidently ac-
ceptS the challenge"
AS the meeting was winding up, II. j.
Haskell Of the Kansas City Star, VINO
has Just been in Europe, appeared, and
in response to an invitation said that
all Europe fears currency imitation. and
that in France there is a feeling that If
the United States should go off the
gold standard the franc also would go.
He also expressed the opinion that there
is little chance for reduction OF arma-
ments or for agreement between Ger
nany and France on reparations.