North Dakota State College of Science - Agawasie Yearbook (Wahpeton, ND)

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THE 1950 AGAWASIE PAGE 3 Governors Of Three States Join The Agawasie In Commendation To American Newspapers Because. In addition to the major portion of the enrollment of the State School of Science which comes from the home state of North Dakota, a large number of students come from nearby Minnesota and South Dakota each year, the governors of three states were invited to join the 1950 Agawasie in its tribute to the newspapers of America. In answer to the request of Editor Mike Schaff. Governors Fred G. Aandahl. George T. Mickelson and Luther W. Young-dahl of North Dakota. South Dakota and Minnesota respectively. sent their comments on the role played by newspapers in the development of America and their continuing role In the progress of our country. Governor Aandahl stressed the ever present desire of the American people for correct information, and how it falls to the nation’s press to fill this desire. Governor Mickelson pointed out that ‘’a free press is a fundamental part of the progress of our great nation and that real strength is found in our free and alert press. Governor Youngdahl made clear the point that America must be kept aware that a free press is a vital part of our way of life. The complete comments of the three chief executives follow: I am pleased to know that the North Dakota School of Science has seen it to dedicate its campus yearbook for 1950 to the newspapers of America. In these cm-deal days when the lights of liberty are being extinguished in certain nations of the world it becomes more and more apparent that we must guard vigilantly the freedom of the press, if we hope to preserve our way of life. IVe have seen time and again that the newspapers are among the first to be controlled in sti ling of human liberty. IVe must never forget these examples of people who have not understood this and have paid dearly for their indifference. You will do much to help keep America aroused to the vital role of newspapers in a free nation through the tribute which you pay them in your publication. ☆ ☆ The American people are hungry for correct information. It is an appetite that can never be satiated, i'.ach new event and its association with other events of the past calls for more information. The press of the nation is one of the strong units that bring information to the people. Under American standards it has been kept free and independent and permitted to perform its functions to the full capacity and ability of its staff. It has done a fine job and through its efforts our American democracy has been able to grow strong. An intelligent and well informed public make effective government by the people possible. Sincerely yours, Fred G. Aandahl (lover nor. State of iXorth Dakota ☆ ☆ ☆ .•I free press is a fundamental part of the progress of our great nation. It is through the newspapers and magazines of this country that the real strength of America’s rise to greatness has been brought to succeeding generations. Thus an ever growing group of responsible citizens have been inspired, both in peace and war to work in the cause of democracy. An alert press, free from governmental restrictions, must ever be a part of our great American system. Luther IV. Youngdahl Governor. State of Minnesota George T. Mickelson Governor, State of South Dakota N. D. Congressmen Join Governors in Salute to American Newspapers North Dakota's four congressional representatives in the nation’s capital responded to editor Mike Schaff's request for comments on the role of the American newspaper in the development of our country. Senator William Danger expressed the debt of gratitude the nation owes its newspapers for their efforts in keeping the principles of unbiased information available to all concerned. Senator Milton II. Young point-oil out that, like many other institutions in America, wc have come to look on our newspaper as a part of our way of life without fully realizing their importance and contributions. Representative Usher L. Burdick set forth the fact that since the earliest time the communication of information and ideas has gone hand-in-hand with man’s progress. Representative William Lcmke added his voice to the Agawasie’s salute to the nation’s newspapers, pointing out that wc must never surrender the right to say what wc think.” The full statements of the four congressmen: ☆ ☆ ☆ One of the greatest heritages that our forefathers left to this .Xation was our inalienable right of freedom of speech. 1 is so of ten forgotten just how privileged we are, and how peoples all over the world envy us because wc can listen to the radio and read the newspapers ivith the assurance that what we hear and read has not been dictated by our government, but rather is the word of the people. One of the greatest of all utilities which have kept the public informed on events of importance has been our daily newspapers, and to them we should extend no end of graditude for their efforts in keeping the principles of unbiased information available to all concerned. Sincerely. W. l.anger N. D. CONGRESSMEN Continued on pago 5

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PAGE 2 THE 1950 AGAWASIE SSS Pays Tribute To American Newspapers During the spring term, students in freshman rhetoric were instructed to write a brief theme on the subject. Freedom Of The Press In America. The themes presented as many different views on the subject as there were students in the class. Originally the editors of The A galvanic requested that the assignment be included in the spring term schedule so that the best one could be reprinted in this dedication section. However, since so many views were put forth, the editors took the liberty of combining pertinent points from several of them. The following theme, then, might be entitled Freedom Of The Press In America by The students of the North Dakota State School of Science”: ☆ ☆ ☆ i an early colonial courthouse in Xciv York City in the late eighteenth century, a brilliant lawyer. Andrew Hamilton, defended Peter Zenger. ’ .eager had committed the offense of criticizing the governor of Xew York in the Xew York Weekly Journal. Zenger was acquitted and this famous case established the basis for American freedom of the press.—Keith Anderson. Since the Zenger ease— the morning star of that liberty which subsequently revolutionized America —freedom of the press in our country has been exhnlted by presidents. poets and editors alike. All agree that the right to print fact or actual opinion in newspapers is one of great importance and should not be denied.—Ila Langseth. Freedom of the press is a priceless heritage which can not be forgotten. It is a fundamental basis on which this republic survives. An Informed mass of people has been formed by the free American press. —James Flaa. From the beginnings of American national life, a free press has served to focus public attention and form opinion. It is America's most powerful weapon in defense of the democracies. It is America's strongest tool in her daily job of keeping her people well informed.—Pat McCarty. ☆ -.the itor. Jr S'; NDPA President Jay Bryant Cites N. D. Newspapers Jay A. Bryant, president of the North Dakota Press Association, was among the editors asked to contribute a statement for the 1950 Agawasie. Bryant, one of the outstanding weekly editors in North Dakota, is the present editor of the Napoleon Homestead. Active in many community and state affairs, he was the third in line to become editor of the three-generation paper, the Homestead. It was founded in 1886 by his grandfather, George A. Bryant. The important part that newspapers played and do play now in I he Failed States is often recognized and I am pleased to learn that your yearbook. The Agawasie. will be dedicated to that end. We like lo think of and review the part that has been taken in North Dakota by newspapers, particularly during pioneer days. During the early settlement of our state, the prairie editors were instrumental in attracting settlers who came here to homestead. They were community leaders. Their papers were informative, entertaining. I.ut not always profitable. At one time there were about three times as many papers in this state. These early editors endured many hardships in getting out their weekly papers with meager equipment. necessitated by lack of capital. Hut they were a hardy lot. and their Finished product reflected their rugged character. With the possible exception of railroads, the newspapers played the most important part in the early development of our great state. In behalf of the press association. I wish to thank you and your staff for paying tribute to Journalism. and to extend sincere best wishes for a successful year book. Jay A Hryant. President North Dakota Press Association President Truman Unable To Join In Agawasie Salute To Newspapers Among those invited to participate in this tribute to the newspapers for their role in the development of America was President Harry S. Truman. In answer to the invitation, Editor Schaff received the following letter from The White House: This is in reply to your letter of March second, inviting the President to write a statement for use in the I960 Agawasie. 1 regret that it is not possible for the President to accept the invitation. He adheres to a long standing policy of not writing any statements for school yearbooks. Ho receives a great many similar requests, and it would be impossible for him to attempt to comply with all of them. As the President has had to decline so many others, he could not. in fairness, make an exception in this instance. I know you will understand. The letter was signed by Ebon A. Ayers, Assistant Press Secretary.

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PAGE 4 THE 1950 AGAWASIE Local Editor, State Sigma Delta Chi President, Explains Weeklies Role Wahpcton is served by a paper that is highly representative of the Grass Roots Press . The Richland County Farmer-Globe is recognized throughout the country as one of the leading small city weeklies . E. Donald Lum. who. along with his brother. D. Eldon Lum. publishes the Fanner-Globe, has been particularly active in promoting cooperation among the nation’s small town papers. At a meeting of the National Editorial Association in Chicago not long ago. he was singled out as one of the men who has led in the development of that organization and in the promotion of high standards for the nation’s small town papers. This spring he added to his growing list of honors when he was elected state president of Sigma Delta Chi. national honorary journalism fraternity. He is also a past-president of the North Dakota Press Association. In a special article prepared for the I960 Agawasie. he has pointed out the important role of the Grass Roots Press in the development of America. The article- ☆ ☆ The dissemination of news is fundamental to a newspaper. And by its eery nature, that policy fosters an enlightened people and a progressiee community, ft is a moot guest ion whether editorial opinions or the unbiased news columns contribute more to public thinking. Hut. for a certainty, opinions are molded by the news in a newspaper. Questions are discussed intelligently. Geographic barriers are surmounted. Strangers become as neighbors when they read newsworthy events in a newspaper. I'eople who read regularly a newspaper from their own city or a neighboring town become affiliated with that city. The streets, the buildings, the stores, the institutions and social groups are their own. .-In attraction seems to focus their attention to that town whose newspaper they read. Farms and farm organisations look upon the newspaper as their” newspaper and expect it to be their ready source of information and publicity. When civic projects are undertaken the newspaper is the rallying place, . ewspaper publicity is vital, .t community with a good newspaper has a powerful agent for growth. A community without a newspaper tacks an essential for betterment. .-Is it becomes a part K. Donald Lum Grass Roots Publisher ☆ ☆ ☆ of the reading habits in the homes of the city and the surrounding countryside, a newspaper is a narrator of the present, the historian of the past and prophet of the future. It serves to knit an area together into a neighborhood at the same time attracting newcomers. To survive a newspaper must thrust its community, state and nation ahead in the paths of righteousness and progress. .•I good newspaper grows upon its readers. There is no need for them to study the logotype to identify the familiar publication, .-1 good newspaper belongs to and is of the community. It has a place in the homes of the community and in those homes it wields its greatest influence. .-1 newspaper can be a great power for good. A trust is placed in the hands of a newspaperman by his neighbors and friends. His fellow citizens expect him to be honest and fair. His newspaper must express opinions honestly arrived at. His news columns must present the news without prejudice and as completely as possible. The advertising columns, like the news and editorial columns. must be above reproach. And such a newspaper is part and parcel of the people whom it serves. Such newspapers h a v e helped and are helping to build the towns and teeming cities, the lovely farms and contented villages that make America a land of happy homes. E. Donald Lum Minneapolis Tribune's John Cowles Stresses Duty of Newspapers Newspapers ought ... to serve the highest common denominator of their readers' interest and constantly endeavor to raise that denominator.” Those are the comments of John Cowles, president of the Minneapolis Star and Tribune. in a letter to the 1950 Agawasie. The papers published by the Cowles tamily in Minneapolis have long been recognized throughout the country as fine examples of newspaper leadership. Their service to the Upper Midwest area in which we live has likewise been widely recognized for years. Mr. Cowles full comments: Newspapers perform an essential role in a democracy. They have an obligation to try to make important news interesting so that a larger proportion of the people will read it and become better informed. They have an obligation to try to guide public opinion on their editorial pages so that their readers will come to have sounder judgment on the political and economic and social problems confronting the country. Newspapers ought also to try to serve the highest common denominator of their readers' interest and constantly endeavor to raise that denominator. It goes without saying that newspapers have an obligation to print the news, all of it. as honestly and fairly and impartially as they can. If newspapers try to do all these things, they are helping build a stronger United States. Sincerely. John Cowles ☆ ☆ One of the most widely respected newspaper editors of America is the New York Herald Tribune’s Whitclaw Reid. In a letter to the 1950 Agawasie he set forth an interesting digest of the role of American newspapers in the development of our country. Newspapers are a fundamental part of .-I m e r i c a n democracy. Without them people could be informed on neither candidates for office nor issues on which the health and life of the country depend. In my judgment newspapers serve the processes of government as yeast in bread. They help to briny alive the aspirations of our people; subsequently they are a force in seeing that these aspirations are enacted in legislation and that the taws of the land are administered in accordance with the nation's best interests.