LEGITIMATE CURIOSITY

The most prominent and hardworking grand jury in the United States today is the daily press. Each newspaper aims to have its own investigation. The New York Daily Mirror revived the Hall-Mills mess only to provide four page accounts for the much more aristocratic Times. And now the New York World has started a national protest against lynching. The World's action is extremely notable, and one which is winning for the journal the recognition it deserves. The affair at Aiken, South Carolina, was a blot on the name of justice and the World is to be praised for having sent its personal representative down to get the facts.

The facts, once obtained, were in the nature of High explosives. South Carolina had been guilty of a flagrant sin of ommission. In pursuing the case to its ultimate conclusion--official inquiry--the World has probably earned as many enemies as friends. Certainly the brotherhood of the press seems to be strained; South Carolina papers retorted that the Pulitzer journal was meddling in other people's business merely for the sake of sensationalism. Very wisely the World took no notice of such accusations other than to comment succinctly on the sensitiveness of the unjust. By their really frenzied editorials, which were not only foolish but also in bad taste, the southern papers have further incriminated their state and prejudiced the public. Meanwhile all commendations to the World which would appear to live besides the best columnist in the country an equally worthy editorial board.