Evening star., 1942-09-28
Newspapers Praised
For Handling Of War
And Domestic News
Heads Of Editor Groups
Make Piuns to Observe
NotionoI Press Week
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Sept 28.-Walter M.
Dear, president of the American
Newspaper Publishers Association,
joined today with two other leaders
of American newspaper editor
groups in praising the manner in
which newspapers have handled war
and domestic news.
w. S. Gilmore, president Of the
American Society of Newspaper Edi-
tors. and Basil l.. Walters, chairman
of the Associated Press Managing
Editors Association, also commend
ed editors for a tough job well done
ss the Nations newspapers pre-
pared to observe National News
paper Week October 1-8.
Mr.. Dear who is treasurer of the
Jersey journal, Jersey City. N. j.,
said:
National Newspaper Week, this
year, presents a challenge to the
press of America which may not be
disregarded. The theme of the occa-
sion is we'll typified in the slogan:
The Newspapers Go All Out for
Victory
Leading Salvage Drive.
''The press of America has made
its contribution in an all-out effort
and reiterates it's promise that: We
pledge our individual and unswerv-
ing support to our Commander in
Chief in this hour of national crisis
and our willingness as individuals to
share in all responsibility which
American citizenship imposed upon
lis to the end that victory shall be
achieved and free men shall be
forever free
I'VE have fought to preserve pub
lie morale and inspire in our armed
forces the confidence without which
there can be no victory.
1--WE take pride in the splendid
effort of our newspaper boys in so
successfully stimulating the sale Of
War Savings Stamps and Bonds.
I'VE have cheerfully accepted the
request of our Government to lead
and direct the metal Salvage drive
which is so coincidental with the
observance of National Newspaper
Week. We are sanguine that our
efforts will be successful, not be-
cause Of the cooperation We offer,
but because of our confidence in the
American people and their willing
ness to aid in the present emer-
gency.
Right of Criticism Retained.
"Our willingness to share in the
responsibility means that we stand
ready to go all out for victory We
do not. however, surrender the right
of a free press to condemn and
criticize where we consider the cir
cumstances justified. Nor can we
duiescently tolerate infringement of
individual rights, seeking, under the
subterfuge of war necessity, to Gre
ate in the future what always has
been abhorrent to our American
way OF life"
Mr.. Gilmore, editor of the Detroit
News, said:
I'VE have the word of responsible
officials in Washington that the
newspapers of America have done a
thorough and patriotic job of re-
porting all phases of the war. We
have sent reporters and photograph
ers to every theater G( action. And
they, submitting to restrictions OF
censorship, have given the newspa-
per readers the story of warfare IN
every possible detail.
1T is fair to say that in no coun-
try on earth are newspaper readers
given so complete picture of mill
tary action, of the training of men
for action, and the political and in
dustrial and economic preparations
which must go on behind the gun.
Plea to Aid Scrap Campaign.
"It is a happy coincidence that
National Newspaper Week comes in
the midst of the Nationwide drive
for scrap which the newspapers, at
the request of Donald M. Nelson, are
promoting. The most critical situ-
alton in our war effort today is the
shortage of scrap metal. Modern
war effort begins with men, as war
always has. but second only to men
is metal. Ships, tanks. planes, guns.
shells, bombs, bayonets, helmets-all
are of metal. Steel. copper, brass
and rubber make up an army's
equipment We must have scrap.
Let. the newspapers of America
devote National Newspaper Week,
October to 8. to an every edition.
page-one, eight-column line and
editorial appeal to their readers to
produce every ounce possible of
steel, iron, copper. brass, zinc and
rubber for the war effort. 1t Is
every newspapers and every citizens
duty"
Mr.. Walters, executive editor Of
the Minneapolis Star-Journal and
Tribune newspapers, Minneapolis,
MINI, said:
Victory through truth,
THAT is the goal for Americas
newspapers.
"Firm in the belief that the Amer
lean people, II pippCiiS AAAioA Ah'Se'
always arrive at the proper decl-
sion. American newspapers are care
fully avoiding propaganda and are
providing the people with all the
facts, good and bad, avoiding only
the publication of news that might
be of value to the enemy.
Morale Depends on True Informa-
ton
Newspapers operate under the
theory that American morale will
take care of itself so long as the
people are convinced they are truth
fully informed and so long as they
and their newspapers are privileged
TO criticize their leaders construct
lively.
America is newspaper reading
Nation. As quick as lightning, I'M
portant messages cover the Nation
through the great and free press
associations and in few hours more
of these messages have been printed
and distributed to the homes. THIS
A,,,ariro united