The Press: At Binghamton

One Sunday morning, in Binghamton, N. Y., the Rev. D. Stanley Shaw waxed warm as he got on with his sermon in the Tabernacle Church. One thing had led to another; Pastor Shaw found himself talking about U. S. newspapers. As reported by those who heard him, Pastor Shaw declared that the average modern newspaper, not excluding the dailies right there in Binghamton, were not worth more than 15 minutes of the time of a Christian reader. Some in the congregation quoted Pastor Shaw as adding: “Modern newspapers are a stench in the nostrils of decent people and reek with accounts of crime and filth.”

At Binghamton dinner tables next evening, the Binghamton Press was read with interest. Ostensibly concerned over the dire condition of itself and its fellows, the Press agreed with Pastor Shaw, and forthwith invited him to drop in at the Press office whenever he chose within three weeks, to take over, “without any limitations or restrictions of any kind, the editorial direction” of the paper.

A day or two later, the Press reiterated its offer, pledged good faith. In addition, the Press promised to enrich the Tabernacle Church by $1,000 to “compensate for the time he (the Pastor) devotes to the improvement of ‘ newspaper standards.”

Pastor Shaw was wary. He felt certain the Press was trying to exploit a preacher for gain and would start a circulation drive so soon as he accepted the ‘”challenge.” So one forenoon he telephoned the Press, saying he would accept the invitation and was going over to assume his office directly. The Press regretted that Pastor Shaw had not notified it a little earlier. Some editions were already at press. Pastor Shaw would have to wait a day.

But Pastor Shaw would not wait. He marched to the rival Binghamton Sun and in its columns accused the Press of insincerity, asked for the $1,000 promised his church.