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Show Stahle reminded publishers of importance of news Editor's Note: As president of the Utah Press Association, John Stahle Jr. wrote a president's report reminding his colleagues col-leagues of the importance of their newspapers. His words at that time stated his philosophy of the great importance of a community communi-ty newspaper. Following is an excerpt from that report. "Did you ever figure your paper as the conscience of your community? com-munity? Nobody likes a conscience, except when it agrees with them. A newspaper is made of the cheapest kind of paper, wiih the cheapest ink. Has the briefest span of anything printed (except a handbill). It is often used to wrap the family garbage, But is is probably prob-ably the most important item each week in the life of every member of the family, who takes your paper, or who borrows the neighbor's. Nothing else serves such a wide range of needs as docs your paper: Telling grocery prices, use it to train puppies, swatting flies, defending defen-ding citizens rights, covering floors, reporting city council notes, protecting furniture, supporting bond issues, filling packages, criticizing inefficient government. Paper for dress patterns, and if used under linoleum, years later may give your grandchild amusement amuse-ment for the "funny old newspaper grandpa read." A newspaper is many things to many people: To the wife, shopping, shopp-ing, household needs, entertainment and recreation. To the business man, it may be the most irritating sight that day, when he sees in print those off-the-cuff remarks made the day before. The lawbreaker may be embarrassed in the public report given of a father caught speeding, who the day before had told his son about another man charged with speeding, and how wrong it was. To the parent whose child has won honor, it is a treasured aru'ele. Have you ever tried to clip an article from a television picture for your scrap book? Much is expected of your paper and yet it is here dial it receives most of its criticism from the readers. Your paper is never on safe ground. Whichever side you report, the other side is against you If it is too thorough, it is called a trouble-maker. The editor is the soul of his paper. Cood luck to you all. I feel you are all doing a fine job. Keep it |