Fraud in Youngstown?

Last week the State of Ohio, in the persons of three Common Pleas judges, found "reasonable doubt" that four officials of the Youngstown Telegram deliberately padded the circulation figures of their newspaper, as 53 employes and ex-employes had testified that the officials had done (TIME, Nov. 28). But while "reasonable doubt" is innocence in law. its implied question was far from an adequate vindication to the Telegram, member of the Scripps-Howard organization, to whom "fearless honesty" is the prime virtue.

The Telegram had moved to dismiss the case but wanted the court to reserve decision long enough for Telegram witnesses to refute some of the State's horrid testimony. The court ignored the request, dismissed without ado. Next day Editor Felix Bruner told Telegram readers--and all 25 Scripps-Howard newspapers reprinted--what the defense would have said if it had the chance: C. That prosecution's witnesses were disgruntled employes discharged by Scripps-Howard.

C, That as far back as 1928 the Telegram found circulation "irregularities," discharged its circulation manager, "cleaned up" the situation, as evidenced by a sharp drop in circulation.

C. That the Telegram discovered its figure of 35,610 for October 1931 was too high, reduced it by 912 although Audit Bureau of Circulations believed the deduction too large.

Trouble with rascally circulation men, most of whom are trained in the rough-&-tumble school of delivery trucks and loading platforms, is an occasional experience of many a U. S. newspaper publisher. It may be the circulation manager himself who is corrupt. If so. his sole concern is to ascertain how much circulation the publisher wants, to enhance his reputation as a hustler by getting it, foully if necessary. A threadbare device is for the circulation manager to raise the salary of a district man. ostensibly for showing bigger sales. The district man is allowed to pocket part of the increase, but it is understood that he will refund the balance in payment for a daily allotment of papers in excess of what he can sell. He may dispose of the excess by burning or dropping it in a river.

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