Illinois newspaper directory. History of the Illinois press association

Illinois Newspaper Directory and HistoryDuring the closing period of the convention the members gave consideration tothe plan for issuing professional certificates. No action was taken.In connection with the annual meeting the National Community Newspaper contestwas held. More than 200 newspapers, representing 47 states and three from Alaskawere presented to the judges.Forty states entered papers for the Franklin award in the weekly newspaper fieldand 2 8 had been recorded before the lists closed in the Samuel Bowles contest for thebest community daily.The newspapers in the national contest were divided into two classes- those worthyof professional recognition and those not of sufficient merit to deserve commendation.The former were to be given certificates as evidence of the decisions of the judges, onedaily and one weekly to be singled out for special excellence on the basis of opportunity.In the national contest for weeklies the Ionia County News (Mich.) took firstplace; the Aledo Times-Record, second; the Brookings (S.D.) Register, third: and theWalton (N.Y.) Reporter, fourth. Honorable mention was given the following: HarvardHerald; Walsh County Record, Grafton, North Dakota; Ashland (Va.) Herald Progress;Warren (Minn.) Sheaf; Lodi (N. J.) Bulletin; Wolf Point (Mont.) Herald; Wayne(Neb ) Herald; and the Harlowton (Mont.) Times.The Bloomington Pantagraph for the second time won the Bowles award in thenational community newspaper contest.In the state contest for weekly newspapers the Carmi Times-Tribune tied withthe Minonk News-Dispatch for first place; the Aledo Democrat was second; and theBarry Adage and Tri-County Press, Polo, tied for third. In the state contest of dailies,the Bloomington Pantagraph was first; the Danville Commercial-News took second; andthe Moline Daily Dispatch and the Sterling Daily Gazette were given honorable mention.The following officers were elected: President, Harry E. Bill, White Hall Register-Republican; Vice President, W. W. Loomis, LaGrange Citizen; W. J. Seil, GrayvilleMercury-Independent; C. R. Denson, Minonk News; Secretary, H. L. Williamson,United States Publisher, Springfield; Treasurer, Gerry Scott, Wyoming Post-Herald;Executive Committee, W. J. Smith, Waukegan Sun. Attendance at the Illinois-Co.;College football game brought the meeting to a close.The professional certificate system which began to assume importance in 192^and 1927 has an interesting story of its own. Its beginnings are here recounted in detail:The Storv of The Professional CertificateThe Years 1925 to 1928On May 2 3, 192 5 Albert H. Gravenhorst, president of the Illinois Press Associationand editor of the Effingham Review, appointed a committee which was to develop aCertificate plan for recognition of professional standing in journalism. The membersof this, the Committee on Education, named on that date, were Frank W. Scott. Urbana;W. F. Hardy, Decatur; and Harry B. Potter, Marshall.That the Committee was destined to launch upon important work was indicatedby President Gravenhorst's letter to Frank W. Scott in which he said, "As you knowtl.is is a new committee in the association and I believe the most important one we have."Scott was named chairman and he called a meeting which was held at Urbanaon June 5. On June 8 he reported as follows to President Gravenhorst:236