Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1947-08-01
Lost Faith

built up the reputation and circulation oil
that newspaper to make it Zone of Amer
ica's Great Newspapers"
Newspapers, of course, are made great
bv the way in which they are run by their
publishers fact that is true in the case OF
the Blade which for many years built up
mutual confidence between employer and
employees.
Today. because of the ill-advised action
of the Blade in its punitive measure in
stituted against Eleanor Coakley for ac-
cepting an office in the CLOS Toledo In
dustriaI Union Council, the faith and con-
fidence which had been slowly built up
over the years has been utterly destroyed
by one hasty decision.
The issues involved transcend the per-
sonalities of those who are the principals
in the discrimination dispute. These issues
embrace two major points:
1. May a newspaper break its con-
tract, ostensibly to insure objective news
gathering, reporting and editorializing?
2. May newspaper deprive its edi-
torial employees of personal Liberties, and
in effect, dictate TO them where they may
go when they are not working?
To our immediate knowledge, Paul
Block, Sr., was a man in whom the en-
ployes of the Blade placed their con-
fidence. He lived with his commitments
and kept faith with his employees. In re-
turn, they gave him their best efforts, and
what is even more important, their per-
sonal loyalty.
We are certain that both the elder
Paul Block and his Editor, Grove Patter-
son, would not approve the breaking OF
contract under any circumstances. We are
equally certain that they would never
seek an out, even on their oral pledges to
their employees
We do not believe that there is any
excuse, least of all, not the one used by
the Blade in breaking its contract that
can Justify breaking faith with employees
of any company. Such an action, so Obvi-
ousIy aimed at breaking the Guild, can
not possibly stand up under the light of
truth.
Can reporters be officers and mem
bers of the union and still remain ObjeC-
tive? OF course they can, and do. Ii this
were not true how does il happen so ire
quently that the business beats of news
papers, even local newspapers, become the
spring boards for reporters into business
and other responsible positions? If these
men were not fair and objective, would
progressive organizations reach out Tor
their services?
To infer that a reporter cannot be
good newspaper man and member of the
Guild is an insult, not only TO the integrity
of every member of the Guild, but to the
intelligence of every reader of the Blade,
who in most instances clearly recognizes
that the Blade is frequently less objective
in its editing and publishing of the news
than the reporters who gather and write
it.
If the Blade wants to be pure and
above reproach, can il in all truth say that
il never suppresses news which it doesn't
like? Can il say that it doesn't actually
slant and color the news about certain
public officials whom ii apparently has
determined To ride out of office?
If these things are true, and there are
thousands of ToledoanS who believe they
are, how can the Blade demand more OBJ
jectivity in its reporters than il is willing
to practice itself? 1t isn't a question of
principle with the Blade in its handling
Of its editorial employees. II is merely
case of the management saying, don't do
as do. Do as | say, or else"
We believe that the people of Toledo
are IN complete sympathy with the Guild
in its efforts to right the wrong done
Eleanor Coakley. We believe they can see
the reasons for the Blades action and we
are positive that this is one instance where
that newspaper cannot wiggle out of its
mistaken position even with the aid Of
high-pOwered editorial writers.
CIO in Toledo has pledged its complete
support to the Guild in its fight for jus.
tice. 1t cannot and will not compromise
when the basic rights of its members and
officers are at stake.