The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1947-03-06
What Washington Thinks

During recent months when newsprint
has been problem, particularly for small
er newspapers, many Senators have ex-
pressed opinions stating the value of the
small town and the newspaper serving it.
A number of them are quoted here:
Senator Robert A. Taft: The heart of
America lies in it's small towns the gather
ing place of millions who live in those
towns and the surrounding rural sections.
The editor of the small-toWn newspaper is
responsible for seeing that people get
straight news without prejudice, and that
they understand what the issues are.
Senator Alben w. Barley: 1t is es-
sentlal that the small newspaper, the small
daily and the weekly newspaper, shall be
preserved as a part of our educational
heritage. There are many people in wide
spread sections OF our country who obtain
their information concerning World events
not only from the larger daily papers but
from the small weeklies.
Senator Alexander Wiley: Throughout
the years our small, grass-root newspapers
have made great constructive contribu-
lions to American development in faith
fully recording history as it was written
and in conscientiously directing public
opinion toward those OBJ ectives in which
they believed
Senator Robert F. Wagner: Especially
worthy of commentator and support at
this time are the thousands of small-town
newspapers which 60 into millions of
American homes. These grass-root week
lies are carrying on in the finest tradition
of American journalism. Independent, in
formed and progressive, they represent
perhaps the finest Towering of the demo-
cratic spirit.
Senator Arthur Capper: The small
town newspaper is one of Americas most
important institutions. 1t keeps its read
erS informed on what their neighbors are
doing e. The community newspaper is
the neighborhood forum where Informal
ton on government, education, religion,
and civic developments are discussed and
promoted. Without a newspaper devoted
to its own interests, no town can meet the
strong competition of its neighboring COM
munities in these days of trade rivalry.
Senator Scott W. Lucas The small
town newspapers Of America have always
had a vital role in the affairs of this Ma
ton in shaping the development and the
course Of the American way of life. Edited
by men and women who know the people,
because they live with and are part of the
people, the newspapers Of our smaller
towns and cities usually reflect with urn-
erring accuracy the sentiments Of those
people,
Senator Abe Murdoch: The country
Weeklies Of the United States could be ap-
propriately regarded as a symbol of the
American way of life Unhampered by the
economic cOmpulsiOn sometimes exercised
by advertisers over the larger metropoI-
itan dailies they remain as the modern
prototype of Americas original free press.
Their influence is great on those who read
them. While a metropolitan paper is often
skinned over, its contents form the basis
for many family discussions.
According to Senator Murray of Mon
tana, there are three groups of corporate
giants" who control broad fields of news
papers, publishing, and radio stations. The
worst victims according to Senator Wherry
are small newspapers that buy their paper
at top prices.
In the hearing that got underway this
week, there is an effort being made to find
monopoly that has been squeezing the
smaller publishers as we'll as an investiga-
ton of prices being paid for newsprint.