The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1947-10-30
CamoufIaqed Interference" Is Worst

From The Tupelo Journal
"outside interference has become such an issue in Mississippi
politics that any attempt from beyond the states borders to influ-
ence our elections is looked upon with extreme disfavor, if not
downright suspicion.
1t is interesting, therefore, to note that the most effective ex-
ample of Outside interference" to date in Missssippfs senatorial
campaign has been so carefully camouflaged that it has gone un-
noticed even by those who have succumbed to its influence.
For the most effective outside influence on Mississippi political
thought during the last few weeks has been the slanting handling
of news of our senatorial race by the Commercial Appeal from near
by Memphis.
This practice, diligently avoided by the nations better news
papers, has long been common in Mississippi own capital where
the Jackson Clarion Ledger, especially, has seldom had space for
anyone except a member of the Johnson family whenever one hap
pened to be running.
But prior to its purchase by the Scripps- Howard newspaper
chain, the Commercial Appeal had one of the best regulations in
the South for fair, unbiased presentation of the news.
The Memphis papers present slanting of its front page news
makeup to ram Congressman Bill Colmer down the Threats of Mis-
sssippians without their even knowing it is, therefore, particularly
reprehensible.
For the people of our entire state have come to know and trust
the Commercial Appeal and do not look behind its handling of the
news for sly Outside interference" in our affairs.
Most recent examples of the Commercial Appeals handling OF
its front page news columns to carry out its policy of supporting
Colmer are two interviews published within the last few days.
In one instance the Commercial Appeal went to the unusual
length of questioning four Delta hunters about their politics as they
paused at the Memphis airport en- route to Canada.
And when it turned out-as was no doubt known in advance
that the men favored Bill Colmer, the fact that four Mississippi
hunters were going to vote for Colmer was printed on the front
page Of the Commercial Appeal under a two-column headline. Such
is not consistent with unbiased judgment of news values
And Sunday the Commercial Appeal got hold of a statement
from Walter sllers, Speaker of the Mississippi House of Represen-
dLSSS APAdiniH why ne NoHHeT
Not only did the paper run the so-called interview" on the
front page, but it used up a large par. of three columns to express
Silers' euogy Of Congressman Colmer. Even the candidate them
selves, are unable to get similar space.
Now, the fact the Commercial Appeal favors Colmer for the
Senate is its own business. And certainly it could make far worse
choices.
But the place for any newspaper, in the state or outside, to ex-
press its preference for a candidate in its editorial columns or in
signed articles which admittedly are influenced by the opinions of
the writer.
Unless we are fooled, however, the Commercial Appeal will go
all the way through the current campaign without ever saying in
iS editorial 0luYn nat IL think McciccipDianc should elect R1
Colner. Yet in its handling of the news of the campaign it is doing
its best to bring about this very thing without its readers ever be-
ing aware that outside interference" has led them into supporting
Congressman Colmer.
We doubt very much if John L. Lewis, hailed as a major "out-
side interferer" in the current race, can dictate whom the people OF
Mississippi shall elect. As a matter Of fact, he can't even control the
A. F. L, which a few days ago abolished his office of A. +. L. vice
president because of his stubborn opposition to obeying the Taft
Hartley Law.
And we doubt equally strongly that the CLIO Political Action
Committee has much influence in Mississippi For that organi-
cation has dwindled away to only IL men in its national office.
hardly enough to control Mississippi even if they had no interest
in elections in other states.
But the Commercial Appeal does have influence in Mississippi.
Its influence, in fact is even stronger than that OF our own capital
city papers.
1t has this greater influence for the very reason that while
the Jackson papers have destroyed public confidence by constantly
slantng the news, the Commercial Appeal in the past has avoided
this unethical practice.
1t is disnlusioning. therefore, to see a newspaper which has SO,
much legitimate influence in Mississippi misuse it in a political
campaign to advance policies that belong in its editorial columns.
And this outside interference" which now looks to the New
York office of the Scripps-Howard chain for much of its editorial
policy is all the more damaging because OF the fact that II Is pre-
sented in such harmless sugar-coated manner that the reader never
realizes he is being led along paths al outsider would have him
follow.
VOTERS: Will you let the Commercial Appeal and other out
side chain owned Newspapers cram some candidate down your
throat with their deceptive tactics or will you look to your own
local paper for unbiased news and information.
The Commercial Appeal is obviously trying to boost the cause
of Comer without openly admitting such to be the case.
paid for by the local friends of Judge John C. Stennis)
H. H. PURYEAR, M D, AND OTHERS. PIcKENs, MISS.