Evening star., 1942-09-26
Confidence in Press
Voiced by President
And Cabinet Officers
Freedom to Express
Truth as We See 1t
Is Declared Vital
BY the Associated Press.

Is declared Vital
BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Sept. 26-Expres-
sions Of confidence In the American
free press came yesterday from
President Roosevelt and seven cab
met members who praised the part
newspapers have played in the war
effort.
The Chief Executive said the OBJ
servance Of National Newspaper
Week October 1-8 latter 10
months Of war affords an opportu-
nifty to rededicate ourselves to the
freedom that is as vital to us as our
daily pread-the freedom to think
and speak and write the truth as We
see IT.
"Ou free press has not only sur
vived-it is an essential part OF the
steadying ballast which enables our
ship to ride the Storm" Mr.. Roose-
welt added.
Heavy Responsibility.
National Newspaper Week will be
devoted to acquainting readers with
the multitude of activities of their
free press in the war effort. The
expressions from public figures were
carried in the current issue OF
Editor and Publisher, newspaper
trade magazine.
President Roosevelt's message
continued:
"War imposes grave new respon-
sibihties on all of us, but upon no
public servant does the responsible
ity for truth and integrity rest more
heavily than upon the press. Theirs
is the duty of keeping the people
fully and truly informed. Their
correspondents are Drawing enemy
fire to send hack the story OF far-of1
battles. Their editors and publishers
are deeply aware of their respons1-
bility for the faithful presentation OF
the news.
vigilant Of Heritage.
'The American people are vigilant
Of their precious heritage OF free
press. They will permit neither
its corruption nor Its perversion for
selfish ends. They will continue to
regard it as their strong right hand
in war as in peace. I believe that
their confidence will be justified.
Secretary OF the Treasury Nor
Kenthau said that because news
papers had reported the news as
completely as it could be printed
within the limits Of national safety,
''they have checkmated enemy prop
Aganda intended to demoralize and
mislead our people"
Secretary Of State Hull said he
had been deeply impressed by the
high sense Of obligation with which
newspapermen and women, almost
without exception, have taken their
places in the firing line OF the
war. ."
Ickes for 'More Feuds."
From Interior Secretary 1ckes,
who sometimes has engaged In caus-
tic word-batt1es with segments Of
the press, canesthis:
'I am for bigger and better news
papers, continued freedom of the
press, and-more feuds."
Postmaster General Walker said
the press OF this country had "at-
tanned unparaleled distinction as
the conscientious expression of free
men for whom the truth was sa-
cred"
"The telling Of the truth was, and
Is, the ultimate justification for
freedom of the press" he added.
Through advertising and news
columns newspapers already have
shown their wholehearted desire to
aid the war effort, said Secretary
of Commerce Jones.
Cites Generous Support.
"This is more than demonstrated
by the fact that. they have contrib
uted millions OF dollars worth of
white space to advertise the various
governmental activities" he added.
'News support of many government
tai campaigns has been equally gen.
erous."
Attorney General Biddle said:
"Our free American press Is the
symbol Of democracy, symbol we
cherish above all others and the one
most widely recognized abroad. 1t
Is the envy of the worlds oppressed
peoples-and the bane Of their op-
pressors."
Secretary Of Labor Perkins said
newspapermen and the public could
observe National Newspaper Week
safe In the assurance of free press
In free and democratic Nation"