The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-05-09
THE TIMES-NEWS AND BEER
ADVERTISING


Noting the absence of beer advertising
from the columns of The Times-News,
readers of this newspaper have been ask
ing if it is the policy of this newspaper to
refuse the advertising of alcoholic bever-
ages. I'm order that readers of the paper
and the public generally may have the in
formation-if anybody is interested in it,
as appears to be the case-The Times
News will say that it does not accept ad-
vertising Of alcoholic beverages. That in
cludes, If course, 50 beer.
And now that the matter has been men,
toned, The Times-News will undertake to
make It's position in the matter perfectly
clear.
The Times-News' policy of declining the
advertising of alcoholic beverages is not a
hastily-conceived, lightly-eonsidered or
half-baked policy, devised with particular
reference to 3.2 beer.
The editor of The Times-NewS has been
engaged in the newspaper business forty
years. No newspaper controlled by him,
or the business policies of which were con-
troIlcd by him, ever accepted advertising
of alcoholic beverages while that control
was exercised by the said editor.
For forty years the editor of The Times
News has fought the liquor traffic and
steadfastly declined to accept the adver-
Using money of distillers, brewers, saloon
keepers or other retailers of alcoholic bev-
erageS We have no intention of changing
that policy now.
The position Of The Times-News is based
on things that are fundamental in the eco
nomic and social order and in morals. The
TimeS-NewS' opposition to the alcoholic
beverage traffic goes down to bedrock
principles. These things will not be dis
cussed at the present time; but, in view of
the fight which is already on to put the
legaIized liquor traffic on this country
again, they will be discussed from time to
time in these columns.
In taking it's position as to the adVertis-
ing of alcoholic beverages in these columns
The Times-News is not undertaking to die
tate to any concern or business man as to
what it or he shall sell Responsibility for
the sale of beer rests upon the people who
are selling it. Responsibility for the con-
duct of this newspaper rests upon its man.
agement The Times-News has legal and
moral right to say what it will or will not
print, and that applies with the greatest
possible force to advertising. On the adj
vertising rate card of The Times-News APP
pears this rule:
THE Times-News reserves the right to
reject all Objectionable Advertising
1t is not necessary in law or in morals
that this newspaper should carry this state
ment on its rate card, however. The Con-
stitution of the United States and the laws
of the country protect this newspaper in
its determination to be free and uncOn-
trolled in its policies and in its right to
exclude from it's columns Objectionable adj
vertising.
The Times-News believes in the square
deal--even in its attitude to distillers,
brewers and retailers of alcoholic beVer-
ages. This newspaper would not take the
advertising money Of the beer manufac-
turers and dealers, and then turn on and
fight them and use every possible effort to
nuIlify the value of their expenditures fol-
advertising. Our position may be little
hard for some people to understand but