Illinois newspaper directory. History of the Illinois press association

Illinois Newspaper Directory and HistoryPublic Utility Advertising"You all are familiar with what has happened to utility schedules during thepast few months. Copy has failed in practically all cases to equal in value the amountspent by the newspapers for current or service from the utility company. Surely everycommunity in the state' is worth to the utility company serving it, the expenditurefor advertising of a sum equal to that returned to it every month in the form of thenewspaper's check for service. It was upon this basis that your Committee on publicutility advertising presented its case to heads of utility organizations. Some real effectivework was done on this matter and while I do not have a report from all pointsin the state, I do know that since the first of October, schedules have been materiallyincreased in many instances."Members of our committee, with the addition of several other publishers, calledon utility heads and were cordially received. We were given assurance that our proposition,as submitted, was considered fair and that every effort would be made to increaseadvertising schedules. The sincerity of this statement is attested by the subsequentstepping up of advertising schedules.Association Membership"I believe that membership in the Illinois Press association is a privilege and anhonor that should not be held lightly. It is also of tremendous value from a dollarsand-centsstandpoint to the individual member. It is a well-known fact that thosethings which involve the least expenditure of energy or money are the things whichare the least appreciated. Officers and committees of this association put in hours anddays and weeks of valuable time during the course of the year, in promoting and lookingafter those projects which are for the benefit of the publishers. The fruits of suchsuccess as they achieve are shared by every publisher in the state under the presentsystem of 'every publisher a member.'"Illinois newspaper publishers and editors for the most part are appreciative enoughof the work that is done in their interest to at least pay their annual dues. Thereare many, however, who fail, through neglect or otherwise, to even send in the smallamount which is asked in the form of dues. Likewise, year after year, the burden ofcarrying on the work of the association falls on the shoulders of a few. Our faithfulsecretary, H. L. Williamson, labors unceasingly, year in and year out, in the interestof the newspaper men and women of the state. So does S. P. Preston, chairman of theexecutive committee. So do members of the legislative and other committees. It ismy belief that these men are happy to carry on this work, but I also believe that everypublisher who profits by their labors in the name of the Illinois Press association shouldnot only be a member of the association in good standing by the prompt payment ofthe annual dues, but should give his whole-hearted co-operation in the performance ofany reasonable activity in which he may be called upon to assist. Those who are unwillingor who neglect to do this much to assist and support the activities of the associationshould not in my opinion be recognized as members of the organization."I would, therefore, strongly urge that only those whose dues are paid in advanceand who indicate their willingness to co-operate in carrying forward the work of theassociation be regarded as members in good standing and entitled to all the servicesand benefits of the association."I believe that with the adoption of this plan of membership and with dues fixedat a figure which would relieve the association of the constant embarrassment of anempty treasury, it would be possible for us to adopt the plan of other state associationsin the matter of association management. I earnestly believe that it will be impossible328