Evening star., 1961-04-28


Of The Washington Star and
president of the Associated
Press:
Il know of no responsible
newspaper which would print
material damaging to the in
terests of the country. The old
problem is: what is it that is
damaging to the interests of
the country? think that the
Job of protecting security is
one that lies with the Gov
ernment by policing its own
sources of information. A Spe-
cific proposal would be received
with great interest"
McKnight's Views
Felix R. Mcknight, executive
editor of the Dallas Times Her
aid, and newly elected president
Of the American Society of
Newspaper Editors, said "the
hour is dark and the moment
for re-examination of response
bilities is at hand" adding:
President Kennedy'S decla-
rations will not 60 unheeded by
the American press.
Security Of this Nation is
paramount but intelligently
enlightened and informed peo-
piles survive. The oppressed,
the uninformed. die.
Responsibility must come
from Government, the press,
and the people. Leaks from
Government sources must also
be plugged in constructing this
whole area of responsibility.
The American newspaper
will never hide sins of made
quacy that could endanger this
Nation the President has
our pledge of unqualified posi-
ton Of responsibility"
In War, Hearst Says
William Randolph Hearst, jr.,
editor chief, Hearst news
papers:
IT think he raises a very i'm
portant point. with which am
in great sympathy. He makes
it clear that we are in a war. :"
Mark Ferree, executive vice
president and general business
manager of Scripps- Howard
newspapers and president Of
the American Newspaper Pub
fishers Association:
THE publishers will respond
patriotically to any appeal by
the President but l am sure that
voluntary censorship will be the
only kind that will be workable
and acceptable to them"
John Cowles, president, pub
Usher and editor of the Mime
apolis Star and Tribune:
II believe the difficulties and
complications Of achieving a
so-called voluntary censorship
are even greater than the Pres
ident suggests
II would suggest the Presi-
dent appoint a committee from
the press to propose a possible
plan. The problem is extraor-
dinarily complicated and GER
tainly the cloak of censorship
must not prevent criticism and
full discussion of matters that
involve domestic affairs and
political matters, but solely ma
tional security"
Scripps Opposes
Edward w. scripps, president
Of Sigma Delta Chi, national
journalism society:
Kennedy seems to think the
cold war ought to be fought in
secrecy when as a matter Of
fact, it should be fought in sin
cerity and honesty. This is not
a military war and secrecy does
not sell democracy"
Frank J. Starzel, general
manager of the Associated
Press:
I "A self-censorship such as
President Kennedy implicitly
proposes depends upon news
men having available guidance
from responsible Government
officials who also will take the
responsibility for the effects
and results Of their decisions.
II am confident that editors
and reporters will cooperate
with any reasonable and intel
1igent approaches by Govern
ment to any real problem that
.Cxists. Understandably, they will
not yield to any capricious or
Self-serving effort on the part
Of officialdom."
Frank H. Bartholomew, pres
ident of United Press Interna-
tional:
This is indeed a time for
Self-discipline, but difference to
unauthorized disclosures brings
up the point Of who is going to
do the authorizing-who this
source will be.
I'VE have had no great con-
fidence in the voices of author
ity 30 far, except for the Presi-
dent himself and his own ad-
visers."
Voluntary Part Stressed
Robert M. White II, co-editor
and publisher of the Mexico
CMoD Ledger:
"An informed electorate is
still our greatest source of
strength. And, having said that,
1t should be noted that the
press has never failed to CO.
operate in time of national
peril-but always voluntarily,
as it should be-"
D. Tenant Bryan, president
Of the Richmond (Va.) Times
Dispatch and News Leader, and