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Show WBattle Creek '- Speaking before the annual convention con-vention of the Utah State Press Association last Saturday at the Newhouse Hotel, Ernest H. Lin-ford, Lin-ford, editorial writer for the Salt Lake Tribune, stressed the importance impor-tance of "giving the public a right to have its say". Mr. Linford told the publishers and editors of Utah's 53 weekly newspapers that, "No person in the community has a more important import-ant job than the newspaper editor". He emphasized his idea by saying, "Not even the town doctor, the city judge, bishop or minister is called upon to give more of himself him-self than the man who runs the community newspaper". In the opinion of this column, Mr. Linford is as right as rain. Freedom of the Press, is not only the first amendment to the Constitution; Con-stitution; but it is by all odds the most important. To be charged with the implementation of this sacred trust is a grave responsibility. responsi-bility. A successful progressive community com-munity is a well informed corn- there are two opportunities facing the people of Pleasant Grove today. to-day. These are: first, the procurement procure-ment of a National Guard Armory for our community; and second, the establishment of a local hometown home-town Military Reserve Unit. The following Utah cities either have now or have plans approved for a National Guard Armory: Salt Lake City, Tooele, American Fork, Springville, St. George, Price, Bountiful, Layton, Smith-field, Smith-field, Lehi, Orem, Heber, Ogden, Vernal, Murray, Cedar City, Fillmore, Fill-more, Richfield, Manti, Mt. Pleasant, Pleas-ant, Brigham City, Logan, Nephi, Beaver, Spanish Fork, and Garland. Gar-land. The fact that Pleasant Grove Is not listed in this group of fortunate for-tunate and progressive communities communit-ies is due only perhaps to our own lethargy or indifference. It is interesting to note that in the case of Price, Bountiful and Layton, the prospective Armories wHl be used jointly by the Natioh-al Natioh-al Guard and the high schools of these comunities. We will soon begin be-gin the construction of a new munity. People will almost invariably invari-ably make the right decisions if they understand all the facts in the case. Half-truths can even be more dangerous than no truth at all. Herein lies the responsibility of the editor of the weekly newspaper. news-paper. 1 To publish the important news of the community in a factual fact-ual and readable form. 2 To support all progressive and constructive enterprises within with-in the community, by means of good solid reasoning. 3 To be ever on the alert for new opportunities for civic betterment; better-ment; and to call attention to such opportuniteis. 4 To keep the columns of the weekly open to the opinions of every citizen regardless of race, creed, social or economic status. As an example bf the current possibilities of item 3 above, three-quarters of a million dollar Senior High School in Pleasant Grove. Could not such a cooperative cooper-ative arrangement be worked out bewteen the U. S. National Guard Bureau and the Alpine School District? Dis-trict? Too many of our public buildigs are used too little of the time, as it is. Lt. Col. James W. Brandon, head of the Army Reserve Procurement Pro-curement Section of the Utah Military Mili-tary District, said recently, "The Reserve is a solution for young men who can't afford to gamble with the draft board. Men 17',o to 18 years of age could, before reaching draft age, enlist in the hometown Reserve Units and thus become draft exempt". Both of these community opportunities oppor-tunities deserve immediate investigation, investi-gation, and to be followed through to a successful culmination. So long 'til Thursday. |