ry 1, 1911. portance, but they can not be ignored by the student of history who inquires how far the newspaper is an authoritative source for the reconstruction of the past. . The columns of the periodical press also carry other guarantees . Many forms of business whose activities are reported by the press
or whose advertisements are carried in its columns become themselves a guarantee of the accuracy of the statements made. One of the most significant of these guarantees is connected with the advertisements carried in 1916 by the Metropolitan Trust Company of New York City . The Company gave instances of carelessness or of actual dishonesty in the administration of different estates, gave the points at issue in the suits at law that followed , the decisions of the Court, and the explicit reference to the legal reports giving these decisions. The reports of the transactions of the stock exchange, of dividends declared on bank deposits and on corporation stocks, of real estate transfers, ofmarket sales and purchases must all be accepted as authoritative. Moreover, newspapers often expressly disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy or authenticity of curb market quotations. The business management of entertainments like operas, theatres , and concerts in effect guarantees that the entertain
ments advertised will be given at the place, hour and price stated in the advertisement, and , with limitations, that the programme will be given as announced . The Church in its variousbranches becomes responsible for the official announcements of its religious services , for information in
regard to the increase or decrease in its membership , for facts concerning its missionary and charitable undertakings, and for the published programmes of its stated local, state and national meetings. Educational authorities are responsible for official information
in regard to schoolbuildings, school organization, schoolcurricula , and all extra -school activities carried on under their auspices, such as playgrounds and school gardens; for official statements concerning expenditures needed for school buildings, salaries , and general operating expenses ; and for the names of persons
appointed to the teachi
