Article April 24, 1926 Issue

My attention has been directed to the letter of a correspondent...

S. Britton R. Foster, Committee on Publication for the Province of Ontario, Canada,—Toronto

Saturday Night

My attention has been directed to the letter of a correspondent in a recent issue entitled, "A Warning re Florida Land Boosters." The writer, in the last paragraph, observes that "it seems strange that papers of unusual merit, like The Christian Science Monitor and the Dearborn Independent, will give their approval to Florida real estate men's methods," and further, believes that this alleged attitude will encourage "real estate crooks and promoters of Florida schemes."

May we be allowed to reassure the writer and those of your readers who are generous in their appreciation of The Christian Science Monitor, by quoting its published policy in this connection, as follows: "To gain admittance to its columns announcements not only must be truthful, but must tell the truth conservatively. Articles or businesses advertised must be worthy of support. Exaggerations of value, false and misleading statements, are searchingly excluded. Nothing that seeks to exploit the public or to take advantage of credulity or to impose on confidence, is accepted. The right is reserved to reject any advertisement or to alter its wording. Advertiser, reader, and the publication are thus protected from misrepresentations." The reliable and trustworthy in any enterprise, and in any community, should not be debarred from a hearing because of the methods of a class our critic rightfully censures. The creditable enterprises which are thus recognized by the Monitor enjoy deservedly a moral support that also proves not impracticable. At the same time, the implied comparison through nonacceptance of other advertising is in no small way a deterring influence.

The editorial, "Using Caution in Investing," appearing in the issue of December 21 of the Monitor, has been widely quoted in America. It appeared in one hundred and seventy-five different newspapers, in one week in one province, because of its sound advice to investors, and its restraining influence on those possibly speculating in enterprises of the character which your correspondent condemns. May I offer the perusal of this editorial to the writer and others interested, as an indication of the policy of The Christian Science Monitor in accepting promotion advertising?

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