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

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THE 1950 AGAWASIE PAGE 7 Trade Press Speaks Up For Country's Papers Although somewhat of an unknown quantity to the average layman, the publishing trade press has played an important part in the development of American newspapers, and consequently has been an important factor in the development of America. Probably no one group of individuals can speak with more authority on the subject of the American newspaper than the editors and publishers of such magazines ns Advertising Age. Editor and Publisher, Printers’ Ink and The Publishers’ Auxiliary. The editors of these four trade magazines in the publishing field prepared special comments on the role of the American newspapers for the 1951) Agaieasie. G. D. Crain. Jr., publisher of Advertising Age. stated that newspapers might be called the indispensable media of communication. Robert U. Brown, editor of Editor and Publisher, pointed out that the daily and weekly newspapers of the United States are the guardians of all our freedoms and the cornerstone of our democracy.” C. B. Larrabee. president and publisher of Printers’ Ink. commented: “Too often we overlook the great importance of the newspaper as a steady purveyor of information about the vast number of products and services that con-tibutc to increasing the American standard of living. George H. Bechtel, editor of The Publisher’ Auxiliary, stressed the importance of the weekly newspaper in America, or the so-called grassroots press, and pointed out that everyone knows America progresses from the grassroots Newspapers might be called the indispensable media of communication. Issued daily, they provide the major means whereby the citizens of a great republic, responsible by their votes for governmental policy. may keep informed regarding events of local, state, national and international importance. The local newspaper informs and stimulates, helping to create public sentiment which will support improvements in government, administration of local vital services, schools, public health and hospital facilities, recreation, transportation. etc. Only through the local newspaper can the citizen and his family know what is happening of interest to themselves, their friends and their communities. The great expansion of newspaper circulations, now at an all-time high. h:rt taken place in an era when magazines were also growing in circulation, and radio listening and Ictviewing became almost universal. Yet the indispensable character of the services of daily newspapers brought them more readers, paging a higher price per copy for the service, than ever before in history. One of the great values of newspapers is their advertising. The needs of the household are met through information on store offerings. Home improvement and personal satisfactions are provided through the information furnished by advertisers in every field. Advertising research has translated this service into information which enables manufacturers and merchants to utilize newspaper space to the best advantage of all concerned, readers us well as advertisers. Along with the information and entertainment provided by newspapers has come a broadened social concept which has led nespapers into the forefront of those working for progress in every field affecting human happiness, safety and well-being. The support given by newspapers to every worthy cause, from the American lied Cross to the local community fund drives, is an essential part of their success. American would not be America without its newspapers. (',. I). Crain. Jr.. Tublishci Advertising Age The daily and weekly newspapers of the I'nited States operating under the free press guarantee in the Eirst Amendment to the Constitution arc the guardians of all our freedoms and the cornerstone of our democracy. Our newspapers are the auditors of government. If the people of the I'nited States ever lose the privilege of a free press, it will be the first step toward the sacrifice of all their freedoms. Because of the rapid system of communications, which the newspapers themselves have largely developed, the people of this country are informed instantly as to what is going on around the world an:l in their own country. Because of this speedy publishing service, also, our vast sales and distribution system works to best advantage in keeping our tremendous production machine going at lull capacity and providing the jobs for America’s millions. Robert V. Brown. Editor Editor and Publisher ☆ ix .•is a continual carrier of news a';oul events and products, the newspaper is one of the great uniting forces of our nation. H e all recognize the great value of newspapers as a source of information about events in the overlook the great importance of the newspaper as a steady purveyor of information about the vast number of products and services that contribute to increasing the American standard of living. Without this service from our newspapers, our country doutless would not have attained its present standards as quickly or as easily. C. B. Larrabee, Publisher Printers’ Ink There arc many segments to newspapering in America today. All arc important but there is none so close to the soul of this nation than the so-called grassroots press. Any comment about the newspapers’ contribution to the progress and up-building of America must include a salute to the nonmetropolitan editor. Frequently he is the entire staff, working alone. Sometimes lie needs a force of several people. In any case, his eternal interest is the prosperity and success of his community—and everyone knows Arnica progresses from the grassroots up. (ieorge II. Bechtel. Editor The Publishers’ Auxiliary

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PAGE 6 THE 1950 AGAWASIE Magazine Editors Praise Newspapers; Point To Importance Of Free Press In This Country Probably no one commercial item has become a more established tradition in the United States than a publication founded in 1728 by Benjamin Franklin. Throughout the world the Saturday Evening East has long been recognized as an important part of America. Being editor of this American tradition , Ben Hibbs is in an excellent vantage point from which to survey the importance of the American newspaper in the development of our country. He has set forth his views on the subject in this comment for the 1950 .1 gaicasic: the importance of a tree press is so obvious, and lias been so widely recognized tor so many years, that anyone who sets out to pay his respects to America's newspapers is almost certain to end by offering a tribute that has been offered before. Consider, for example, the press as the great protector of people’s liberties. The events of recent history have clearly shown that the first step a Mussolini, a Hitler or a Stalin must take is lo throttle the people's newspapers. Their dread of a free press is. it seems to me. as fine a tribute as can be paid. Hut this tribute, too. has been offered before. It was offered by a man ivho spoke from experience and who phrased his tribute thus: “Tour hostile newspapers.” said Napoleon Itonapurte. “are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets.'' lien Hibbs. Editor The Saturday Evening Tost V V i? One of the leading American magazines to develop during the lifetime of the average student of the Class of 1950 at the North Dakota State School of Science is Look. The picture magazine capitalized on America's growing acceptance of the old proverb. A picture is worth 1.000 words. Growing tip along with the members of the Class of 1950, Look is now read by approximately 20.000. 000 Americans every other week. Published in Des Moines, Iowa. Look has utilized some of the down to earth living that is I ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ typical of the Midwest in the development of its successful format. That same formula has been applied to other publications of the Cowles family such as The Minneapolis Star Tribune and The Des Moines Register-Tribune: and more recently, to Quick. Not only as publisher of the succesful Look magazine, but as a newspaperman, himself. Gardner Cowles is qualified to speak on behalf of the American press. In commenting on the role of newspapers in the development of America, he prepared the following statement for the 1950 Agawasie: Freedom is never won permanently. It must be worked for constantly. In this country a free and enlightened press has been one of the most powerful agents in working to preserve that freedom. It is no accident that in a dictatorship, the bulwark of a free press is one of the first things to be destroyed. This country owes an overwhelming debt to its newspapers with their great traditions of independence and courage. It should be clear to all by now that the preservation of democracy, and perhaps of civilization as ice know it, depends on an unfettered and responsible press. (lardner Cowles. Editor Look Magazine 1

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PAGE 8 THE 1950 AGAWASIE Two Chicago Publishers Add Voice to Agawasie Salute to Newspapers One of the loading newspaper publishers in the United States is John S. Knight. His newspaper empire spreads throughout the country and includes the Chicago Daily New , the Detroit Free Cress and the Miami Herald. In a letter to the 1950 Agawasie, Mr. Knight points out that Journalism as it is practiced in the United States is far from perfect. But it is a vital press, a courageous press and I believe a responsible press. In my opinion, the press alone, and by the press mean all printed media, can and does resist the growing enroachments of govern-meat upon individual rights. Your daily newspaper not only mirrors the news of the world but strives to stimulate public thinking on the questions which affect our daily lives. It is a free press in the best sense ol the word. A o censors hover over American editorial desks as they do in nearly every other country in the world. Even in the nations of Western Europe censorship is very much alive. Journalism as it is practiced in the United States is far from perfect. Hut it is a vital press, a courageous press and believe a responsible press. Disagree with it if you will, indict it for its sins but never let its voice he stilled, for on the day it comes under government control. your liberties and freedom U'ill perish forever. Sincerely. John S. Knight ☆ ☆ Answering the 1950 Agauasie's request for comments on the role of American newspapers in the development of America. Colonel Robert R. McCormick, publisher of the Chicago Tribune, sent the staff a book entitled What Is A Newspaper?” It contained a talk the Chicago publisher delivered before the Chicago Church Federation in 1921. Although the book contained much valuable information delining the role of American newspapers. space limitations prevent publication of much of its contents. It does, however, contain one of the most adequate short definitions of a newspaper that the staff could find, and that definition provides an excellent commentary on the role of American newspapers. It reads: (See next column) •A- ☆ ☆ The newspaper is an institution developed by modern civilisation to present the news of the day. to foster commerce and industry through widely circulated advertisements. and to furnish that check upon government which no constitution has ever been able to provide. Business Editor Grimes Cites Local Importance In answer to the 1950 A ga was- te’s request for comments on the role of the American newspaper in development of our country, William H. Grimes sent editor Mike Schaff a copy of a speech he delivered at Greencastle. Ind.. on April 7. Grimes is editor of the 11 all Street Journal, the country's leading business newspaper. In the speech, which was delivered at DePauw University under the sponsorship of the Kenneth C. Hogate Foundation and the DePauw chapter of Sigma Delta Chi. national professional journalism soccicty. Mr. Grimes pointed out one particular fact that is well to include in this dedication section. He said: The function of a newspaper is to give information. It deals also in entertainment, opinion and controversy among other things. Hut I think it is a rule without important exception that a newspaper exists in a given locality and lias a first duty to give the news of that locality. In Greencastle. Indiana. I can get a wide choice of information from metropolitan dailies or from news magazines. I can can perhaps get everything need except one thing. am not likely to know what is going on in Greencastle. Indiana. Not only do want to know that, but am not a good citizen unless take the trouble to know. And if I live in Greencastle and am not a good citizen of Greencastle. am not likely to be a very good citizen of the United States either.