Evening star., 1938-04-24
WHITE IS NAMED
HEAD0F EDITORS
Fight to Keep Democratic
Institutions Pledged at
Closing Session.


With the election Of William Allen
White, noted editor Of the Emporia
(Kans) Gazette, as president. the
American Society Of Newspaper Edi-
tors closed its 18th annual convention
here yesterday.
These editors Of the country's lead
ing newspapers adopted resolutions
reaffirming their belief that the
processes Of democracy are dependent
on free press. They pledged them
selves to "a never-ceasing fight for
the maintenance Of democratic insti-
tutions."
In a final session at the Willard
Hotel, the society announced the di-
rectors had chosen Mr.. White to lead
the organization for the next year.
The Kansas editor and novelist sue
ceeds Alfred H. Kirchhofer, managing
editor of the Buffalo Evening News,
who declined to consider another term
as president.
Others Are Reelected.
D. ]. Sterling of the Portland
(OregD journal was reelected first
vice president and Tom Wallace Of the
Louisville (Ky.) Times again was
named second vice president. Other
officers reelected included Dwight
Marvin of the Troy IN. 70 Record,
treasurer, and M. v. Atwood Of the
Gannett newspapers, secretary.
The directors are the retiring presiI
dent, j. N. Herschell of the Little
Rock (Ark} Gazette; Edwin K. Bixby
OF the Springfield (MoD News-Leader;
Sevellon Brown Of the Providence
(R. H. journal; Marvin H. Creager OF
the Milwaukee Journal; w. S. Gilmore
Of the Detroit News; John S. Knight
of the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal;
David Lawrence of the United States
News: Grove Patterson Of the Toledo
Blade; Casper s. Yost OF the st. Louis
Globe-Democrat, and J. Roscoe Drum
mond Of the Christian Science Moni-
tor.
In the resolutions they adopted
during the closing sessions. the edi-
tors declared there is zone where
laws and constitutions fail unless q
free and vigilant press reinforces char
ters and statutes with the power OF
publicity" They added:
1T Is inconceivable that the Gov
eminent OF the United States would
ever undertake to seek to control the
press of America as the price of agree
ments with governments who have de-
stroyed the freedom Of the press in
their own countries and might desire
to suppress criticism end condemna-
ton by the press of this country"
DR.. Eddy Speaks.
In one of the. final addresses, Dr.
William Alfred Eddy. president Of
Hobart College, said Americans Give
in the only great Nation on earth
where citizen can read the truth
about his world
This is our most priceless possess
sion," the educator added. Proceed
we may to standardize type, paper,
production and sales, but let us keep
!, the editors window open to air all the
news and to ventilate all sincere pub
lie opinion"
DR.. Eddy deplored an epidemic Of
superstition and class strife" adding:
Before it is too late you must vac
cinate the citizenry against infection
from blind hysteria and devil-worship,
which has already spread far over the
civilized world.
If the flood-tide Of passion gets out
Of hand, reason will not be heard, for
reason uses whisper. not shout"
Warns of "Hypnotism."
DR.. Eddy warned against "the hyp-
motto use Of words by all political
groups to hull the readers into a coma
and screen the ISSUE"
Liberals disguise an act of confsca-
ton under the cloak of security, well
fare and social progress, he said.
"Most battered and twisted of all is
the word liberty. Any pressure group
that wants a hearing-and substan-
tial contribution-takes unto itself the
title Of liberty and is dedicated to the
defense OF the original American lib
critics set forth in the bill Of rights"
In "restatements of aims and
ideals of their organization which
they adopted, the editors declared:
I'VE abhor every sort Of censorship
that exists elsewhere and every sug-
gestion Of it that has been made or
could be made in the United States,
We take upon ourselves the response
blllty for a censorship of good taste
which will lead us away from such
invasion of privacy as is not absolutely
warranted by the public welfare
Greater Accuracy.
Eve take upon ourselves a censor
ship that will lead to greater accuracy
IN the reporting and presentation Of
the news"
This "restatement" was presented
by Mr.. Patterson.
During the convention the editors
held number of off-the-record ses-
sions, In which they discussed "the
growing criticism Of the press" can
didly and suggested ways of meeting
this challenge. They were received in
confidential conferences with President
Roosevelt and Undersecretary of State
Sumner Wells. Most of the sessions
were held at the National Press Club.
Discussions the final day included
. +elk on covering the war in China
by MILES w. Vaughn, night manager
OF tie New York Office of the United
Press, and clinic on the woman's
page IN which the forum was led BY
Malvina Lindsay. woman's editor Of
the Washington Post; Mary Stow, fea-
ture editor OF the Newark News. and
Alice Coulter, assistant to the director
OF advertising Of the Norwich IN. W
Pharmacal Co.
The delegates voted down q section
OF the report on the Resolutions Com
mittee deploring syndicated columns
Of political comment as IN influence
against unbiased journalism.
Another resolution which was sp-
proved refArred IN f1,o ,,en ~ 0fI,> 80,