The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-09-26

duty; or because of desire to be informed even
though the information may not be printed; or a
press which is tmd for another reason, will either
decay or be submerged by the radio or by lnnu"
merable small journals of fact and opinion. The
modern daily newspaper will not survive the exact
ING and unyelding demands of a democracy for ac-
curate intelligent and immediate information un-
less it is courageous we'll as free
The newspapers may have averted a
dictatorship in this country thus far, but 1t
is we'll to remember that the newspaper
codes have not been finally approved, and
the NRA may yet find a way to muZzle the
press. That there is a strong desire in some
quarters in Washington to take this course
with the newspapers is evident to many
who are in close touch with developments
in the national capital. These plans will,
of course, be fought to the last ditch by the
press.
The newspapers believe they can win
the battle for freedom of the press, but if
they fail the people can say farewell to
representative government in the United
States. With freedom of the press will go
freedom of speech and all the most cher
ished rights and privileges of free peo-
pie. That is the inevitable course of die
tatorships.
The Times-News realizes that it will be
hOtly criticised by certain alleged 100 per
cent patriots for such statements as the
foregoing; but we invite these gentlemen
to read again the last paragraph of Dean
Ackermans statement as quoted from Ed
itor and Publisher. This newspaper is one
that believes the daily press will not sur
vive unless it is courageous as we'll as free
and presents to the public honest views
fearlessly expressed, as we'll as accurate,
intelligent and immediate information"
The Times-News does not believe that
dictatorship is Immediately impending in
this country; but the marked tendency Iii
that direction is something to cause patri-
otto citizens who value their liberties to do
some of the most serious thinking they
have ever done. If the freedom of the
press could be annulled in the United
States, the dictatorship would arrive with
that action. Without doubt the NRA pro-
posal for licensing the press would give
the government dictatorial power over the
newspapers. That would end the freedom
of the press. Suppression of free press
would be followed by suppression OF free
speech. The people of this free country
would then no longer be free, but would
be in the iron grip of a dictator.
"a pipe dream! The rawlings of dis
ordered mindr' shout the 100 per cent po-
litical patriots, most of whom are patriots
for political preferment, for revenue only;
but intelligent and serious-minded people
know better. They know the history of ma
tons and especially the history of the ma
tions of the earth for the past ten years.
They know that, tyranny always takes the
people of Democracy unawares. Only a
free people who have been fooled can be
enslaved; or a people resting in the fan
cied security of Indifference or lulled %
inaction by the fair promises of those VINO
would destroy their liberties.
For confirmation of these views study
the history of Italy and Germany for the
past decade H. A. Kaltenborn, former
editor of The Brooklyn Eagle, after stay
in Germany asserts that the only thing
that enables Hitler to maintain his die
tatorship in that country is the fact that
freedom of the press has been destroyed.
The German people are without accurate
news and honest information and opinion.
They are fed by the newspapers on such
opinions and information as are inspired
by the Dictator and his government. Mr..
Kaltenborn says the Hitler tyranny would
soon end if the press of Germany was u1l-
fettered.