The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-08-22
NEWSPAPERS OPINIONS
SHOULD NEWSPAPERS BE THE BOYCOTT
ENFORcERS? -.


Writing in the Kinston IN. c. Free Press, II:
Gait Braxton, the editor and publisher, warned;
"The Free Press has always regarded the boy
cott rs dangerous doctrine and, when used, as a
cowardly weapon and one which menaces individual
RIGHTS This paper is anxious to do everything with
in its power to further the national recovery pro-
gram. Ii will not lend itself, however, to the fur
therance of boycOtts.'
We might cite other similar editorial expressions
recently published and there is not the slightest
doubt that Mr. Braxton voices sentiment which
is deeply felt in newspaper circles. To publish d-
rect or indirect charges of violation Of codes on
"sackers" against individuals Or Institutions on
the word of officials of the National Recovery Ad-
ministration or local committees representing it,
would outrage established journalistic principle and
in all probability would tend to ncite violence and
in the end would discredit the recovery movement
as a moral crusade of patriotic people.
As we understand the situation, the President
wishes to keep the recovery movement on a high
plane of volunteer effort and moral suasion. Ger
tainly. the Presidents talk to the people has all
been based on the principle of persuasion through
logical argument. In his bluff, military manner,
General Johnson, however, has said some things
about what might happen to code viOators that
seemed harsh and have given rise to, fear in some
quarters and resentment in others. 1t is argued,
and not without reason, that unless the recovery
plan has teeth, certain types of business people
will evade, defy and gyp the governments regula-
tons Such people probably have to be frightened
by the brandshing of the swords of power Honest
people have nothing to fear except mistakes are
made by the recovery administration or local ell
forcement committees. How tragic, if the finger
of scorn should be pointed at an innocent person!
How terrible, if a newspaper should spread such
leading to an injustice that could not
be corrected in a lifetime!
Who are these local enforcement committees?
How well qualified are they to pass judgment?
But the question that challenges the attention
of the press is whether newspaper mas any right
in professional ethics common decency, to lend
its columns to what Mr.. Braxton calls boycott"
1t is one thing for newspaper to publish the news
of violation against the social order when the
facts have been established and the law prescribed
by orderly and responsible authorities of the state
it is something quite different to announce law
violation on the word of the National Recovery
Administration, which, we have recently seen
can make mistakes, or the announcement of a local
enforcement committee.
Last Sundays newspapers carried dispatches
from Washington that authority of the MIA
had stated that q national gum manufacturer"
and -four chain stores" We're violating the code
They were not identified. The finger of shame,
therefore, was pointed at all gum manufacturers
(there are only few national distributors Of
gum) and at all chain stores We think such stuff
is unethcal in print. 1t is reckless of Individual
rights. 1t contains dynamite.
This enforcement feature of the recovery scheme
must be brought to system. 1t cannot run wild.
1t cannot depend for its teeth upon the branding
of individuals in newspaper print. There must be
responsible tribunals the acts of which the press
may report. The newspapers of this country are
not in the man-hunting business. Their social re-
sponsibilities are great and fixed. Never, even
in wartime, have we seen the American press more
solidly behind great public movement than at
present, viewing it a crusade designed to pre-
serve free institutions and therefore meriting not
only wholehearted support but the spirit of sacri-
fce. This, however, cannot be blind. 1t must be
intelligent and based social vision. lrrespons:-
BILE boycotting has no place in the picture.-Editor
and Publisher. .-. .,- ...