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YOL:. XXXIX, MEYERSDALE, PA., MAY 9 1918.
NO. 10.
SIX MONTHS IN A NEWSPAPER OFFICE
Reflections on the Past and the Outlook for the Future;
Effort to Control Editorial Policy and Prostitute Public
Morals; the “Enemy Spy;” the Narrow Way and the
Better Way.
As a rule country newspapers are not a payin roposi-
tion at the best. This I have faund to be the i a
lon among men who ought to Know. Therefore, The Meyers-
dale Commercial is no exceptipnal case; and whoever will-
fully or deliberately conveys the impression that this publi-
cation is about to suspend because it is alleged to be worn out
or is in the hands of incompetent persons, or for any other im-
aginary reason, is simply display ng his ignorance and his other
shortcomings to the public view,
Where there’s a will there’s a way—and the conqueror
will have his will, regardless of the material interests of petty
grafters. With the foregoing in mind, the idea of co-operation
supplanting competition ever in view, the Commercial Co-op-
erative Council was conceived and originated. Its aim is pri-
marily to rally labor in a co-operative organization, made nec-
essary by the action of the business men and other interests
that do not control our editorial policy, to support The Mey-
ersdale Commercial, “to the end that that publication may
continue its existence to advance the interests of labor and
humanity in general by promoting interest in the co-operative
movement, propagating the principles of Socialism, of labor
and farmers’ organized efforts for their mutual benefit, ete.”
By Eber K. Cockley.
Can you picture in your imagination a young man, mid-
way between the draft age limits, who has been since his four-
teenth birthday employed as a railroad telegrapher seven days
in a week for fifty-two weeks in a year, suddenly coming into
control of an old established newspaper—a country weekly in
its thirty-ninth year. Consider some of the fancies you may
now have in mind with relation to the responsibilities, duties,
eminence, and what not of the business of publishing a news-
paper, then throw off your bedroom slippers, jump into the pro-
prietor’s shoes, and come behind the scenes a moment with me
for just a little confidential revelation.
One fact stands out before all others in the newspaper
business and that fact is that the reader of a newspaper usual-
ly knows little or nothing about the business of publishing a
paper, either in detail or in general. A publisher may be an
honest, square, conscientious man, who is constantly doing his
utmost to produce a good lively newspaper, struggling against
tremendous odds—and six days in a week that man may be
subjected to the most absurd and pitiless kind of criticism by
the readers of his—and their—newspaper. Too many sub-
scribers never think how many others besides themselves are
required to make up the subscription list of a newspaper, and
it never occurs to some that what the publisher may see fit to
print in the paper to the benefit of any number of readers with
whom he is well acquainted and knows their taste, is not pub-
lished primarily as an offense to those readers with whom he
may not be so well acquainted. While the reader
‘may commit the most harmful acts of negligence, viewed from
the publisher’s point of looking at things of a business nature,
the moment a small error of judgment is committed by the
puhlisher there are a score of subscribers ready to spring at
his throat. :
cate. Members are fully protected against any undue respon-
sibility financially, and the new organization is guaranteed
“spy proof.”
: The month just past—the sixth month of my experience
In a newspaper office—was the most encouraging of all. The
balance sheet at the close of business for the month showed,
not a deficit, but a surplus of $52.81, with the Co-operative
Since assuming charge of The Commercial I have endeay- Council organization still in its j ifancy. Still not a very sub-
ored time and again to place the paper, or rather the business |stantial salary for a_publi war. the Business Manager of a
of publishing it, on a.gound. basis-financiplly. Yet almost every co-operative council, but unmistakable proof of the practica-
move that I have made with that end in view has brought forth bility of the co-operative principle, made all the more signifi-
a considerable amount of ignorant criticism, which I have good | cant when it is considered in connection with the fact that most
naturedly been obliged to tolerate, while waiting for develop-|of the business men of the town are still withholding their ad-
ments from my undertakings. The first month’s balance sheet vertising patronage from The Commercial.
In conclusion I can hardly be accused of exaggeration
showed a net loss of $102.41, which amount I was expected
to make up. Comparison of past records with mine showed when I say that publishing a newspaper under the old capital-
istic plan is no longer a profession, but a disgrace. There may
that business was running along at about the usual rate, a lit-
tle falling off in one branch but sufficient increase in another be a Tew exceptions, but the eXceDlion merely corven ey
the rule.
to overcome it, making the average business hb ghoul
d if anything a little greater in volume than it ha .
ine SoMa png If any 2 £ _ Again, those merchants who, by withholding their adver-
tising patronage from The Meyersdale Commercial, imagine
been in the preceding month. From that Son ton 1 soy
i lusion—something was radica wrong wi
Jovy Sub one enol 2 y that they can thereby control the editorial policy of the paper
the prevailing business policy, which had to be corrected, and
that pretty quick.
Meanwhile merchants began to withdraw their advertis-
ing from The Commercial, and on a number of occasions I was
approached and very politely told that if I would not be SO
radical in views expressed in the paper that I could count on
lots of advertising patronage from the business men of the
town. In other words, if I would consent to submit to their
dictations and thereby become a party to the crime of prosti-
tution of the public morals, which, in effect, such action cer-
tainly would have meant, then I might count on enough adver-
tising to support a large paper, which subscribers are constant-
ly clamoring for.
During the second month I reduced the size of The Com-
mercial, owing to reduction of demands for advertising space,
and the necessity of reducing my force to curtail expenses. At
the close of that month’s business the balance sheet showed a
net loss of $22.43, quite a decrease compared with the former
month, but still further reductions had to be made, and several
plans were tried out with no satisfactory result.
The third month’s report showed a deficit of $27.49; the
fourth, $20.60, and the fifth, $38.48.
While this condition of affairs was prevailing my competi-
tor was indulging in an extensive mud slinging campaign
against The Commercial, undermining the public confidence
and doing his durndest to kill the publication which he has
hated so consistently for years. A “spy” was employed at a
fabulous salary, according to information which came to me
afterwards, and he was “planted” in The Commercial building
for purposes which were certainly not for the good of this pub-
lication, nor in the best interests of the people of Meyersdale,
if I am any judge of their interests. Some very interesting
things happened for a month or two which are pleasant to re-
member, and which may prove valuable for my future. guid-
ance, but which would not look so pleasant in print, and are
of no particular advantage as additions to the knowledge of
the general public at this particular time.
All the while I was not asleep, but had been learning
from my experience, and gaining knowledge of the business
from confidential chats with friends and acquaintances among
fellow editors, and from other sources. I learned, for instance,
how one publisher gets his income partly by taking a big cor-
poration’s orders for job printing and presenting a bill “for
service rendered” to cover his private needs, and the needs of
his family, in finances. That is, the corporation may order
work that is worth say $3.00 to someone else. If the publishes
is shy $30.00 in his privatg accounts, his bill for the work is
$30.00, or whatever he happens to need. Since Congress pass-
ed a law requiring that the names and addresses of owners,
bond holders, or other security holders, having an interest in
a newspaper, must be sworn to and published twice a year, |
some publishers have evidently found this a way around.” An-
other instance coming to my attention was one where the pub-
lisher is fortunate enough to secure sufficient legal advertising
—pure graft as a rule—to meet his bills, and still another
where an influential politician pays the bills.
and, in effect, prostitute public morals, or, failing
The narrow way, or the displaying of personal prejudice,
must be abandoned for the better way—mutual understanding
through co-operation. The quicker the issue is brought to a
head the sooner our life problem will be solved.
COME ON IN AND HELP TO WARM THE THING UP.
Co-operation is defined in political economy as, “The asso-
‘iation of a number of persons for their common benefit.” Co-
operation among the common people is essential to preserve
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
In America, as in Germany, the plain people must come
together in associations for their common benefit, or suffer the
consequences resulting from a lack of such organizations. That
person who opposes co-operation by the common people, claim-
ing to be their representative and spokesman, whether his
title be kaiser, king or just plain mister, is not the representa-
tive of the common people, but a traitor to the plain people
everywhere. .
Any person, anywhere, who is not at heart a traitor to
the plain people everywhere, is eligible to become a member
of the Commercial Co-operative Council and a conditional
part owner of The Meyersdale Commercial.
It is too early yet to make any definite promise of specific
cases where benefits will result from any person joining the
Cooperative Council. However, an instance can be cited
which might prove of benefit to every member, assuming that
a sufficient number of people will join to make it practicable.
This much we can say, that less than one-half of our readers
in the Co-operative Council would enable us to supply each
member with their paper at a cost somewhat below what they
are now obliged to pay, or, in lieu of this, we might increase
the size of the paper and raise the rates of subscription on
non-members. That is one way in which each member would
be immediately benefited, not to mention indirect benefits that
would come from the success of this undertaking, as soon as
sufficient number join the co-operative organization. But in
order to benefit any one we must all act together, or at least a
large number of us must, as you well know.
Join the Commercial Co-operative Council today and ar-
gue the question tomorrow—or the next day you meet a Com-
mercial reader who is not a member,
: [.ocal and
Harry Ford, of Clairton, Pa.,
is visiting friends here.
Miss Evelyn Leckemby spent
Saturday in Cumberland." ;
Mrs. Charles Hauger is vis-
iting relatives in J ohnstown.
N. E. Miller was a business
caller in Pittsburg, Thursday.
Fred Rowe, Jr., has returned
from a business trip to New
York.
Walter Bittner, of Glencoe,
was a business caller intown,
Thursday.
Rev. W. H. Beachler, of
Ashland, Ohio, is visiting
friend here.
Hugh Smith, of Rosemont,
Va.. is the guest of his brother,
A. G. Smith.
Mrs. Charles Darrow has re-
turned from a four weeks’ visit
in Pittsburgh.
Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson
were in Cumberland, Wednes-
day, on business.
Mrs. Charles Cook and two
children, of Pittsburgh, visited
friends here, last week.
Mr. Charles Platter, of Gar-
rett, was a caller at the Com-
mercial Office, Friday.
Miss Daisy Ohler and Fran-
cis Ohler, of Sand Patch, vis-
ited friends here, Tuesday.
Mrs. Michael Keegan and
Mrs. Thomas Keegan spent sev-
eral days of last week in Cum-
berland.
Robert Miller is spending
several weeks in Mt. Clemens,
Michigan, for the benefit of
his health.
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Emeigh
who were visiting relatives and
friends. here. returned to Brad-
dock, Pa., Wednesday.
Miss Mayme Platt, a teach-
er in our public school, went to
Johnstown, Saturday, where
she expects to spend the sum-
mer vacation.
Mr. Frank Lowery, of Boyn-
ton, stopped off in Meyersdale,
Thusrday, on his way to Ber-
lin, where he expected to se-
cure employment.
Dr. and Mrs. R. A. Reger,
of Buchannon, Va., and Mrs.
Lakin Roberts, of Wheeling,
W. Va., are guests of Mr, and
Mrs. Harry Philson.
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Crowe
and son William, and Miss
Kate Keidle, recently visited
Mr. Crowe’s parents, Mr. and
Mrs. Thomas Crowe, of Frost-
burg.
Mr. and Mrs. Washington
Lancaster, of Mt. Savage, Md.,
motored to the home of Mr.
and Mrs. S. J. McKenzie, Sun-
day, where they are visiting
this week.
Local Union No. 3083, U. M.
W. A., of Garrett, subscribed
for a $1,000 Liberty Bond last
week, “Fall in line, mine-
workers, and help us put the
union labol on the kaiser,” says
Norman Boden, District Organ-
izer.
After a series of failures on
the part of old party politicians
to put The Commercial on a
sound financial basis, Mr. Eber
K. Cockley has eventually been
successful in making this old
reliable publication self-sus-
taining. Read the story com-
plete in this issue. Do not miss
this.
Mr. Charles Burkholder, of
near Garrett, who has been a
subscriber to The Commercial
since it was first started, called
at the office Friday to renew
his subscription for another
year and renew his allegiance
to the old reliable publication,
assuring the Editor that he is
in sympathy with the demo-
cratic principles which we ad-
vocate. :
A business man who called
at the Commercial Office last
week to censure the Editor for
having published the truth
about the partiality of business
men of the town in regard to
advertising the Third Liberty
Loan, admitted before he left
that he would be ashamed for
his family to read it, adding
that he proposed to consign his
copy of The Commercial to the
waste basket at his place of
business before reaching home.
271 inches of advertising, paid
for and contributed by local
business men, were published
in The Republican, to advertise
the Third Liberty Loan, ‘but
not one inch was given to The
Commercial. Arouse, ye slaves,
and THINK!
Mr. Fred Cohen, of Pitts-
burgh, brother of Louis Cohen,
was a visitor at the Commer-
cial Office, Monday. Fred
brought us some encouraging
news from the Smoky City, and
asked us to convey to his many
friends and acquaintances in
Somerset County his best wish-
es and regrets that he could not
meet each one personally while
passing through on a business
thission. He is enjoving the
best of health, and is still a
steady worker for the cause.
Among other things, he said
that Rev. Prosser, whose health
was failing him last fall and
winter, has completely recov-
ered, and they have him head-
ed for Washington as Repre-
sentative in Congress from one
of the city districts in Pitts-
burgh. It is said to have been
admitted that influential men
of affairs induced representa-
tives of the government to drop
the prosecution of the case
which they had been preparing
against Rev. Prosser last vear,
when it was announced in some
papers of Somerset County that
he was held for $10,000 bail on
the charge of obstructing en-
listment in the army, as it was
feared the people = of his dis-
trict, who hold a very high re-
gard for him personally, would
get busy and elect him to the
Legislature or Congress if his
case was pressed. Louis is now
located . in Columbus, Ohio,
where he is advertising mana-
ger for a large department
store, his brother informed us.
LAPE-SMITH.
Mr. Robert Lape, of Listie,
and Miss Edna Smith, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Smith,
of this city, were united in mar-
riage at the bride’s home, Sun-
day, by Rev. Steele. They ex-
Daeg to make their home in Lis-
ie.
ST. PAUL.
The missionary society met
at the home of Mrs. Howard
Maust, Saturday p. m.
Miss Elsie Sipple spent sev-
eral days last week with her
sister, Mrs. Morgan Walker.
Born, to Mr. and Mrs, John
Whisler, April 30th, twin girls.
John now wears a double smile.
A number of St. Paulites at-
tended the funeral of Mr. Has-
elbarth in Salisbury, Thursday.
Mrs. Zack Faidley spent Sun-
day with her daughter, Mrs.
Maurice Hostetler, near Mey-
ersdale.
Mr. Fred Weise, who had
been confined to his bed for
several weeks, is up again and
convalescing.
Mr. N. D. Hay, who had
been confined to his home for
several weeks by sickness, is
out again, enjoying the pleas-
ant May weather.
Ethel McClintock and Effie
Kretchman, of Fort Hill, are
attending the Normal School in
Salisbury, and boarding with
Mrs. Zack Faidley, of this
place.
Many of our young folks
were promenading in the
groves near town, Sunday, en-
joying the beautiful May
weather, gathering flowers, and
making love to their compan-
ions,
A patriotic meeting will be
held in the Reformed Church
Monday evening, May 13th.
There will be special music by
the Dry Federation male quar-
tette. A large attendance is
1 J