THE PRESS GANG

If the Lindbergh kidnapping case has brought out nothing else it has at least focused attention on two symptons of modern American life: the growing tyranny of the press and increased sub-servience to gangsterism. Both the amount and nature of the publicity given to this kidnapping story would have seemed unbelievable five years ago. And who thought that the man whom America set up as its post-war idol would be forced to acknowledge that under-world characters rather than the regular police force could best help him in his predicament?

The American newspaper in misusing and misappropriating its prerogative of freedom of the press is fast curtailing the freedom of the individual. Personal details, instead of being secondary material, have become the real news of the day. Conventionality is almost prescribed since every eccentricity, everything that is individual about a man, is unearthed and broadcast by the press, Lindbergh has long been a case in point, now, having moved into a secluded place to avoid the public spotlight, he is again subject to the most merciless publicity, Every "angle" is played up; every drop of human interest must be squeezed out of the story into the newspapers. And in cynical self-justification one of the Boston papers bewailed the fact that so much money had to be spent on the army of pressmen sent to Hopewell to "satisfy the American craving for news." The kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby few will deny is news in the full sense of the word but few will also dismiss the fact that the tremendous publicity has hindered rather than hastened the return of the child.

Whether or not the naming of two gansters to aid in this return will prove to be the most efficacious method remains to be seen. The irony of the situation is obvious enough. It is only natural that Colonel Lindbergh should employ all possible means and, granting conditions in America, the two New York gunmen seem best able to achieve results. Certainly the inability of the local police to deal with the crime has been demonstrated and there are in the case many good arguments for a national police force. But what is most indicative of the present trend in America is the manner in which the newspapers can elevate the altruistic gangsters to the position of national heroes without, seemingly, arousing much objection from the public.