Evening star., 1934-05-09
FREE PRESS FIGHT
AWARD DENIED
Advisory Board Holds Prize
to All Newspapers Impos-
sibIe Under Rules.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, May e-Award of
the 1888 Pulitzer prize for meritorious
public service to all the newspapers
Of the country for the fight for a free
press clause in their N. R. A. code was
recommended by the jury, but re-
jected by the Columbia School of
journalism Advisory Board, it was re-
ported last night in Broadway and
newspaper circles
Members OF the board and jury
who could be reached declined to
comment
The reports were that the jury pro-
posed making the award to several
organizations Of newspapers in behalf
of their members.
The Advisory Board chose the Med
ford, Greg, Mail Tribune for the
prize because of its fight against un-
scrupulous politicians in jackson
County, Oreg. Formal announcement
of the Pulitzer awards was made last
night.
Rules Prevented Award.
The Advisory Board was reported
as having considered the jury's recon-
mendation that the meritorious pub
lie service medal be given the Ameri-
can Newspaper Publishers Associa-
tion, Southern Newspaper Publishers
ganizations, but that the board de-
cided this was not possible under the
terms of the award.
The condition of the award pro-
vide it must be given to specific
newspaper
Freedom of Press" was the sub
ject of two editorials cited by the
board for honorable mention to the
authors, Casper S. Vost, st. Louis
Globe-Democrat. and Bainbridge Col
by, writing in the New York Ameri-
can.
Newspapers insisted upon a definite
freedom of the press" clause in their
N. r. A. code. Gen. Hugh S. john
son objected to it, contending it was
unnecessary, but agreed to its nclu-
sion.
pure SurpluSage."
President Roosevelt's formal accept
ance of the newspaper code called the
clause pure surplusage" and added
while it has no meaning. it is per-
mitted to stand merely because it
has been requested" He declared
also that freedom Of the press was
guaranteed by the Constitution.
The President commented further
on freedom of the press, in a letter
to the International News Service
date April 13, and published during
the conventions of newspaper pub
fishers and editors in New York,
stating:
Il do not believe it would be aniss
here for me to say that personally
find high satisfaction in the knoWl-
edge that it is possible in this land
of ours for any one to establish
newspaper or a news service and to
enjoy the freedom of operation guar
anteed by our fathers and which, ]
am glad to say, still prevails. I am
glad, too, that our Government never
has seen fit to subsidiZe a newspaper
or a news service, and I dare to
make the prediction that it never
| will"
Denies Disagreement.
Although Columbia University is
! sued statements which took cognlz-
ance OF disagreements, previously re-
ported, between the juries and ad-
visory board on the history and
drama awards, Dean Carl w. Acker-
man of the School OF Journalism
said there was no disagreement within
the board itself.
The advisory board makes the final
recommendations for Pulitzer prizes
to the Columbia University trustees
| who then formally announce the
awards.
when the board met this year,
Dean Ackerman said, there was not
only no disagreement. but complete
agreement. Their meeting, in fact
was an inspiring example of the
functioning of public trust where
men are free to express individual
opinion and reach decisions based
upon the welfare Of their trust with
out the slightest evidence Of selfish
ness or self-interest."
He declined to comment on the
reports current on the newspaper
award.