Page:The Ethics of the Professions and of Business, with a supplement - Modern China and Her Present Day Problems.djvu/208

192 generally. The selection of a writer, outside the staff or within it, to prepare articles on definite subjects involving the expression of opinion is naturally guided by the feeling of the editor that such expression is needed. But opinion must be expressed in the author's name, or in the department of the paper clearly designated for that purpose. This practice safeguards the paper as well as the subscriber.

At one time the publication of "puffs" and "write-ups" in business papers was common, these terms being used to designate articles which were inserted at the instigation of the interests supposed to be benefited by the insertion. Advertising space was sometimes sold with the understanding that the advertiser and his wares would be mentioned in the editorial columns of the paper. The evils of the practice were early recognized and papers of the better class refused to print such material, pointing out that as the interests of the subscriber were the ruling consideration, no articles could be accepted which did not contain news of interest to him. The growing custom of refusing to print "write-ups" was embodied in the fourth rule of the "Standards of Practice." This rule does not imply that descriptions of manufactured devices and names of manufacturers are barred from the editorial columns. So to do would lessen the value of the paper to the reader, for it is as important to let him know that new and practical devices and services are available, as it is to furnish him with the general principles which should guide him. To be sure the person who is prepared to fm-nish the device or service is also a beneficiary of such editorial mention, but he is entitled to be so, provided that his- benefit is a by-product and not the purpose of the publication. Under these circumstances an article of the kind mentioned should not be stigmatized as a "write-up." It stands on its literary and technical or trade merits in comparison with the other articles in the paper.

The fifth of the "Standards" relates to the contents of the advertising columns, which must, in their way, conform to certain definite requirements, although, of course, the publisher cannot exert the control in detail here that he can in the editorial section of the paper. However, when an advertiser signs a contract for advertising service he does so with the understanding that the advertisements are to be consistent with the interests of the reader and the rights of other advertisers. While the publisher cannot guarantee the reader against loss through following the suggestions contained in an advertisement, he does assume a degree of responsibility. The reputation of the paper is to some extent behind every advertisement printed. With relation to other advertisements in the same or related lines, each piece of copy must stand on its own feet and not try to magnify the merits of what it describes at the expense of competitors.

The list of "Standards" begins with those relating to the interests of the subscriber and the need for truth and honesty in general. In the sixth "Standard" these begin to be more specific, in that subscriptions and advertising are specified to be solicited solely on the merit of the publication. Such a rule implies a tendency the other way, namely to use influences other than the compelling force of data to "get the name on the dotted line" of the contract. The best papers, nowadays, rely upon close study of the business possibilities in