The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-04-28
NEWSPAPERS. OPINION
WHERE FREEDOM BEGINS

| defense of free speech is never premature. sc
limo as the human mind finds commanding easier
than persuading, the right to dissent Will always
he in danger This newspaper is not convinced
that gag rule is imminent in the United States
We believe the practice and appropriation OF free
snaecb are to deeply rooted. But the nation is
to6av the scene of bitter conflict The people are
soaking 10 follow what Governor Landon has de-
.crihad as the road between "the bondage Of
bureaucracy" no one hand and Economic dictator
Shin ON the other. Free speech is caught between
the lines in veritabe no-man's land of hateful
preSSures. - "HF
Welcome. therefore, is every defense few
weeks. ago the Supreme Court threw up its broad
should to protect the State of Louisiana from law
designed TO control newspapers through taxation.
Now comes the American Newspaper Publishers
Association with a barrage of reports and resou-
tions combined in most effective cOunterattack
ogainst federal and state threats to free speech IN
the press and on the radio. Let no one think the
mblishers are here merely protecting themselves;
this is defense of free government itself.
The indictments laid in these reports against Of
ficiaI attacks on the press in Minnesota Pennsyl-
yaDia and Louisiana; the exposure OF indefenslble
Committee in attempting to gag the Washington
uar.,d. an account of the Black committees employ
ment Of what seems to us unreasonable search and
s,iiz,,re description of the Federal communications
Commissions part in turning private kilograms
to the Senate investigators; and reminders OF the
potential powers to dictate that commission holds
over the radio stations which hold their licenses at
its discretionary these things the public should
know and heed.
The publishers strengthen their case by the stand
ard of truly free speech which their president,
Jerome D. Barnum holds up for their own guild
ance: 49,.
Publishers are merely the trustees of the
right of the people to have information on
which to base their opinions
Here is splendid criterion. Press freedom would
be in little danger were it wholly fulfilled by all
newspaper publishers. Private influence of news
would be blocked if all publishers ex-
ercised consciencousy this fine sense of response
bility and official oppression could find no popu-
lar support.
But defense of free press cannot wait for the
press to become perfect. If the long struggle for
free speech teaches thing more than another it
is that freedom must be guarded even when it is
abused. Let the newspaper which is careless of It's
facts so long as it sells sensation the news
paper that is the instrument of special interests be
muzzled and no sanctum of truth is safe. Even
set up rule that only what is untrue can he sup
pressed and if you leave the Judgment to decision
by officials by anything except court adjudication
as to libel of decency everything that government
dislikes becomes unprintable.
Give America free press, keep the Bill of
Rights inviolate and We will trust the people to
draw the line wisely between essential governmental
regulation of business and tyrannous interference
with private enterprise Give Americans the essen
tial tool of free thought and discussion and they
will protect their Constitution, their courts and all
their liberties, against the crossfire to which they
are exposed in the conflict between political
and economic forces-Chrstian Science Monitor