THE POWER OF THE PRESS

When John F. Hylan first became May, or of New York City, every newspaper in the metropolis except the Hearst sheets dedicated itself to the task of discrediting the city's administration. During the last four years they have gone to every length to persuade their readers that Hylanism must be eradicated. Investigations, exposes, ridicule--every journalistic weapon was employed. And yet, on Tuesday last, Mayor Hylan was re-elected by an astonishingly large plurality.

It appears, therefore, that the much vaunted power of the press is not as almighty as we have been led to suppose. The aggregate circulation of the ten journals which did their best to drive out Tammany far exceeds that of the Hearst papers. But it would seem, on regarding the results of the election, as if the readers of those papers had been led by them either to vote for Hylan or, at best, merely to stay away from the polls. Yet though it is almost incredible that the attacks of such dalies as the "New York Tribune" should have had so little effect, their failure is not entirely inexplicable. Aside from the fact that the Fusionists picked a not particularly strong candidate who made some costly mistakes in the campaign, the methods of the Fusion press were not best calculated to win the support of the voters. There was too much "mud-slinging", too much discrediting not only of Tammany but of New York.

If one compares the editorials of the "Journal" during the past two weeks, with those in the "Evening Post", for example, one finds that the former states clearly and specifically the several issues upon which it recommends Hylan; but that the latter utters only rambling, incoherent appeals for better government which furnishes its readers with few facts, little convincing argument, and no really definite reasons for voting against Tammany. Mayor Hylan, addressing the crowd that cheered him upon his reelection, urged the newspapers to "reform and change their course". This is good advice, though not in quite the sense that "Hizzonner" intended. If the press hopes to overcome the corrupt influences and mould public opinion, it must change its methods. It might even do well to emulate the style of Mr. Brisbane, who is unfortunately hiring the country's best editorial ability to serve its worst interests. The political logic of a large city may be, like Einstein's theory, "past all human understanding". But it is within the power of the sincere journalist to make it something comprehensible, and to guide it properly.