The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1936-12-17
National Topics Interpreted

Observation-Disclosures of affairs
in the national capital frequently
-. get different
Or. High slant on state
Predicts ments by "close
advisers of the
President or activities of chose
on the inside" than persons living
at distances from Washington. They
are less likely to be misled in their
conclusions as to the meaning of
such statements or actions, come
as they may from "high sources, "
than others not closely in touch.
But even this close contact by OBJ
servers here does not always pro-
duce for them a definite finality on
their conclusions because some
things are simply impossible of
proof.
The above statements are by way
of directing attention to the inabil-
ity of the corps of correspondents
here to tell whether DR.. Stanley
High was speaking with the approx
President Roosevelt when DR.. High
voiced the opinions in Liberty Mag
azine recently to the effect that Mr..
Roosevelt is in mood to disci-
pline the newspapers of the coun-
try. DR.. High, to summarize many
words in his magazine article, rath-
er forecast Mr.. Roosevelt in his new
term of office will not abandon his
liberal policies but probably will
chastise his enemies less than &C.
CURED during his first term-except
the press. Certainly, DR.. High gave
us all reason to believe that Mr..
Roosevelt is pretty much disgust
ed with certain types of newspapers
in this country and that he may
be expected to "crack down" on
them.
The consensus among the writing
fraternity in Washington is that DR..
High has an opportunity at least
to know the Presidential mind. He
has virtually lived with it during the
last six months and there can be
no doubt that he had opportunities
during that time of talking formally
and informally with the Chief Exec
utive in manner not permitted
more than few persons. On this
basis, if on no other, one would be
led to believe that DR.. High was
writing in sense a reflection of
Mr.. Roosevelt's thoughts, yet, as I
said at the beginning, none of us
can be sure.
While DR.. High definitely is in a
position as an adviser to the Presi-
dent to know the trend of Mr..
Roosevelt's mind, he was delight
fully general in the discussion of
the Presidents future program ex-
cept as to the press. Again, it may
be much ado about nothing. So
many of the Presidential advisers
and insiders have been writing and
talking and acting in the last three
years that it is difficult to tell which
is the real story. 1t may be, there
fore,-and I believe this is the best
DR.. High has turned
loose toy balloon. If this balloon
is blown the wrong way by COM
ments from the nation, you probab-
ly will hear no more about a dis
cipline for the press. If the coni-
ments are friendly, another story
may be expected and it's nature is
not now to be forecast.
Assuming now that DR.. High has
faithfully presented the Presidents
~. =, thoughts on the
Hf Onfdr newspapers of the
Journalism country, it seems
entirely proper
that the suggestion be examined
frona the viewpoint of national well
fare.
DR.. High, to be sure, made clear
in his article that the Presidents
efforts to reform the press will be
addressed only to those newspapers
which engage in Misrepresentation,
color their news. or are guilty of
Unfair journalism. I believe that
he vast majority of our newspapers
are jealous of the integ-
,ity of their policies. I believe that
he vast majority of our editors re-
gard the responsibility of leader
ship as something quite sacred and
not to be tainted. In the same breath
hat we mention the Presidents
thoughts and the attitude
If most newspapers, one cannot
help but recall that at least three
ourths of all newspaper circula-
ion in the recent Presidential cam
,aign was opposed to President
2oosevelt's reelection.
Thus and in view of these cir
it may be disconcert-
ng to good many people to read
he strong language that DR.. High
las used in rejecting the implica-
ions of the Presidential mind. To
hat school of thought, the Doctors
if it means anything, /
means that Mr.. Roosevelt proposes
o take steps, directly or indirect
y, to make the entire press of |
America conform to his ideas of |
What constitutes "fair journalism.
n other words, if their interpre-
alton of the High article is correct,
here can be intimidation of the
'ress from the White House.
The intimidation could come from |
residential tongue flashing of news
'apers or any one individual news
'aper which the President believed |
vas guilty of unfair journalism.
he net result of such a course, |
aturally, would be fearful press
nd fearful press obviously never
as presented and never will pre-
ent its impartial judgment; it will
ever answer back and it probably
yill never fight out the issues In