Hearst's Speech

At a 65 plate dinner which welcomed Mr. Hearst to participation in the affairs of Baltimore, he defended himself, saying:

"I do not think that I am very radical. Indeed, I sometimes think that as I have grown older and slowed down a bit I am really not radical enough.

" The policies for which I and my publications fought, and in fighting got the reputation of being radical, have nearly all been accomplished-- and, being in successful operation, are no longer regarded with apprehension. "It is ancient history now to refer to the election of Senators by the people. That policy did not rend the structure of government to its foundations, as timid conservatism predicted; nor did woman's suffrage destroy the fabric of society; nor have direct primaries upset the balance of our political processes. "As a matter of plain fact, I am in some things an utter conservative, determined to conserve, as far as I possibly can, those principles and policies of the fathers which for so many years have made our country the freest and the happiest, the most prosperous and the most powerful nation upon the face of the earth. "There is, however, one firm principle of mine which may be regarded by some as radical, but which to my mind is merely a matter of professional journalistic ethics--of common journalistic honesty. "That principle is the right of the public to a square deal on all occasions --to a fair show for its 'white alley.' I consider a newspaper to be the retained attorney for the public, and I believe a newspaper which is faithless to that trust is as much of a traitor as an attorney who betrays the interests of the client who employs him." Against the common charges of vulgar sensationalism, of pandering to the evil in men's minds, of propagating and feeding prejudices and class-hatred, Mr. Hearst made no defense. Among those present at the dinner were Mrs. Hearst, Arthur Brisbane, Daniel Willard, several local bank presidents, an Episcopal bishop and most of the State and city officials. Also Charles H. Grasty, of The New York Times, who, like many newspaper men in other camps, admires Mr. Hearst's success.