The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-09-29
MONDAY. SEPTEMBER %. 1874
NEWSPAPER WEEK

aside during inc year mere even
tually came one for new spapers. No
one paid mach attention 70 ii a.
first, but when the talk OF censor
ship became common, interest in
creased. People have commenced 10
realize that we could be headed for
the same sort Of censorship and
accompanying oppression that has
led 70 revolutions for freedom in
good many nations
Students OF French history are
familiar with good examples OF
censorship and its effects. The first
rule OF political ambition is secret
oonniying. The people must be kept
in ignorance OF the trend until suf-
ficient power is gathered into the
hands OF one man 10 crush all OPP
position. Charles Y and Napoleon
are readily recalled as good exam.
pies. especially the latter. He set
about revising the constitution OF
France, pacifying the people With
new public buildings and roads
while he gathered In the political
strings that eliminated elections
and made him king
With the pastors OF our churches.
teachers. newspapers and other ne
oiums OF communication muzzled
the road 10 tyranny is easy for a
EnIOOTh=tUuT 1reti IA : 4 iietis- man
There is no way for the public TO
know when such man might get
into power. suppose something were
10 happen 10. our President and the
stage were all set for a designing
man to become dictator OF the
United States With strict censor
ship in effect such a man could
realize his ambitions within a short
time.
We may trust President Roose-
velt. but We should never trust
system that would permit another
man 20 take advantage OF the ma
ton by secret connivance and in
tIigue The people should know
what Is going on. There should be
only one rule OF censorship-Truth
Any man should be free to write
the truth and 10 speak the truth
But be sure II IL the truth
With war there always comes the
request for suppression of army
secrets. Such requests are readily
granted by all reputable mediums
OF communication. f1Ts Importance
OF such regulations may be over
stressed. because as a rule the
enemy has all important informa-
ton. before il could be printed
Their secret agents like ours. are
quick to know what is happening
and what is being planned ahead.
The chief reason for censorship
then is political It avoid criticism
and confusion. Army officers strive
IN time OF war 10 serve the country
10 best advantage. Their judgment
might be influenced by poorly form
ulated public opinion Il too much
were said OF their plans. And so
wartime censorship Is recognized
as an aid 70 the Army and co-opera-
tion IS general because Of the be
lief that II may be for the best and
the knowledge that with the close
of the war will come the end o, cen
sorship. Further than that the policy
Of censorship Is dangerous and OBJ
1ectionable
Interest being taken in the sub
tect and in the observance Of News.
paper week is apparent in many cir
Giles. As an example We quote the
governor Of the Michigan district
OF Kiwanis. Or Pert r. Parrish. who
has sent the following letter 70
kiWanis clubs Of the state.
National Newspaper Week vii
be observed this year October l tC
S
As citizens believe We have 4
better understanding this year OF
why there should be a Nationa
Newspaper Week and Why KiWan
isns should not let pass ty th'
opportunity TO express that under
standing
We have seen what happen
when the press OF nation is robber
OF its freedom and used for mere
propaganda purposes. no matter
how worthwhile the throttlers MAJ
think their purpose is az the time
"As that has happened in foreign
countries We know the right 20 ex
press opinions disappear We know
that religion fights for It's very eX
istence. that government becomes
bureaucracy Of stooges and tina
The life Of the citizen depends OF
his willingness to kow-tow TO thes
stooges or keep his mouth shut
Time was when we knew thesl
things more or less as theory Nov
we have seen them as facts fact
being driven home 10 US in innumer
able ways
For these reasons and for man,
more which you can cite out OF you
own observations the preservation
OF that free press, as 10 exists 81
the United States, is a foremost 70
sponsibility -not only upon n
press but upon every citizen.
II am sure that the Kiwanis club
OF Michigan will find Nationa
Newspaper Week timely oppoi
tunity 10 assert their understandin
of what the free press means. tina
they will communicate that undei
standing to the press In their con
munities as a heartening reassu'
ance that. enlightened citizenry al
preciates the vital role Of the presl
Il am sure. too. that klwani
clubs will seize upon this oppol
entity TO make known 10 the pres
their appreciation Of the fine G.
operation shown during the year !
informing the public on the man
prospects and interesting meeting
OF kiwanis- service upon whic
kiwanis depends In It's role Of builC
Ing for the community"