The midland journal., 1946-09-06
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AAEAD
Y GEORGE S. BENSON
\ PresidtHf--HardiKg college
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Public Good

Freedom of the press has been
talked about more in the last few
months than in the previous few
years. Comment began when the
Supreme Court ruled in favor of an
editor who had been hailed into
court by notable who felt (perhaps
justifably) injured by something the
editor had published. Not everybody
thought the case would turn out as
it did. Many were surprised.
I would not wish to review the
case here, even if there were room
for it, but I am glad the Supreme
Court surprised lot of good people
and set them studying and talking
about this purely American liberty,
freedom of the press. Let me say
this: You don't publish stories in
the old country that hurt the feelings
of potentates and get away with it
America Is Different
In this country, it is assumed that
a man is not fit for public office un-
less he can take all the razzing and
criticism that goes with it and still
hold his temper and do a good job.
Think how long a crooked official
might stay in office if he could pro-
tect himself from criticism all the
time, and yet encourage newspapers
to magnify the faults of other men
who ran for his office.
Editors better not get careless
and publish uncomplirnentary state
ments about their neighbors, or
about things their neighbors have to
sell; courts make them pay for the
damage, if any. Editors dare not
get mean and print malicious lies
about people because courts send
writer's to Jail for that. Publishers
can't do whatever they please.
That's apart from freedom of the
press.
For the Public Good
It is recognized by law In the
United States that the people are
entitled to know what goes on. Pub
lie information is for the public
good. In line with this very prin-
ciple, the Post Office Department
will move 60 times more news ton
mage for the money than letters
which are private, not public. Our
government considers spreading
news an important public service.
If a publisher makes known things
that are true and In the peoples in
terest, it is for the public good and
he has the protection of law. When
the keen lash of publicity strikes
the corrupt deeds of public payroll
ers, let the hit dog yelp. The press
Is a vocation of "checks and bal
ances." Publishers have power
they don't have to use, but if they
use it they must use it for the pub
lie good.
A Parallel Case
Some day, believe, these same
checks and balances will control the
enormous powers Of labor unions
which have done more to improve
the living standards Of the Amer
lean people than any other organized
movement. They have enhanced
American freedom. The right of
collective bargaining is as sacred as
the right to vote, but some labor
leaders have been known to abuse
their power.
In republic, power is abused
when it is used destructive1y, in a
manner that Injuries, rather than
benefits, the public. The famous Case
Bill is dead with all its misce1lane-
Gus regulations for labor unions.
Many conservative thinkers will
concede that 1t will be better If the
unions regulate themselves for the
public good, rather than having it
done by law. Industrial peace must
be achieved. Reform is inevitable.
The workers can do it better than