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pomat. }G@ THE OSHAWA TIMES, Soturday, June 24, 1967 ( ve ' EDITOR'S NOTE: A vet- eran Ontario newspaperman, Ford Lindsay is exceptional- ly well qualified to present this review of the history of the Oshawa Times. He has been associated with news- papering in Oshawa for some 35 years.) By FORD LINDSAY ' of The Oshawa Times Staff + Perhaps more than anything élse, the social, political and economic life of a community and a nation is reflected in the pages of the daily and weekly hewspapers. The newspapers mirror the people and the events of the eras in which they are published, with great accuracy. They fail to paint a true picture only when they at- tempt to peer into the future; but after all, forecasting any- thing but weather is hardly within their province. Theit predictions relative to elections, wars and stock market crashes are not nearly so accurate as their description of these things after they have occurred. A glance at the pages of The Oshawa Vindicator and The Oshawa Reformer, forerunners of The Oshawa Times, will con- firm at least part of the fore- going. When The Vindicator was established in Oshawa in the year 1854, residents of this community were more sedate in their speech and less hurried in their actions than are those of today. This is reflected in the prim and proper prose ap- pearing in these old news- papers. It {is a prose that 'seems almost pedantic com- pared to modern standards of newspaper writing. And in contrast to modern newspaper stories, usually 'terse and to the point, the old time stories work their way in leisurely fashion through ornate and often irrelevant sentences to an ending that should have been the beginning. Earlier writers were not much con- cerned with the modern news- paper dictum, "'spill it all in the first sentence', but then neither were the readers who seemed to have both the time and inclination to read every word in their weekly journal. POLITICS TO FORE Some 113 years ago when The 'Oshawa Vindicator came into being, residents of Oshawa and South Ontario were intensely concerned with politics, or rather partisan politics. These entered prominently into every undertaking in the community, municipal, social and _ other- wise; even, it is whispered, in the church. This widely prevailing inter- est in party politics was the reason why certain newspapers came into existence, one of these being The Vindicator, published in Oshawa in the in- terests of the conservative party. It was the only news- paper published in the then vil- lage of Oshawa and for that reason carried considerable ine fluence. The owners of The Vindicator, at the time it was established, were Samuel Luke and William H. Orr, Mr, Luke is believed to have been a member of a fam- ily of Cornish descent who established a furniture factory and retail warehouse in the vil- lage. The newspaper office was located in the Nonquon Block, Simcoe St. S. The banner on the front page, setting forth its aims stated: "A weekly journal devoted to news, politics, literature, sci-« ence and agriculture' and its slogan was: "Give Me the Lib- erty to know, to utter and to argue freely, according to con- science, above all other Liberty". ADVERTISING RATES The price of early issues was seven shillings and six pence a year in advance. Its advertising rates were: six lines and under, two shillings and six pence; six to 10 lines, three shillings and four pence and business cards 15 shillings per annum. The early issues contained four pages, each 21 inches deep and consisting of six columns, each of which was 2% inches wide. As was the custom of the day much of the front page was given over to advertising. An issue in 1857, for instance, on its front page, carried the fol- lowing stories: "Steam Farm- ing --The Canadian Steam Cul- tivator", "'Moral of The Tooth- ache", "Let in the Sun Light", "Things a Farmer Ought Not to Do", "Hard Wages", from the British Messenger and "A Pious Idea" from The Cru- Sader. Such was the influence of The Vindicator that when the pro- vincial election was held, in the fall of 1870, the prospects for the reform candidate, Abraham Farewell, did not appear too hopeful. But, despite the handi- cap of an opposing party jour- nal, he was elected. Shortly afterward, leading members of the reform party took steps to establish.a news- paper in Oshawa, The Reform. er, in order to meet the Con- servatives on equal terms as far as local newspaper publicity was concerned. STRONG PARTY LEANINGS Its name, as well as the na- ture of much of its news and editorials, indicated the strong party leanings of The Reform- er and this serves as a further illustration of how a newspaper reflects the life and conditions of the era in which it appears. But, as time passed, the par- tisanship gave way more and more to reason and. moderation in political affairs and this was reflected in the changed atti. tude and policies of newspaper publishers, Its emancipation was hasten- ed during the First World War when, in 1917, a Union Govern- ment was formed and party politics were largely forgotten, When the name of the publica- tion was changed, on July 1, 1927, to The Oshawa Times,. as one deemed more appropriate for a non-partisan newspaper. While there was some senti- mental regret at the thought of changing the historic name, the publishers felt that the name "Reformer" was no. longer ap- propriate for a newspaper serv- ing the entire community --~ without. regard to political dif- ferences -- in a growing city such as Oshawa. In fact, many of the younger generation who did not know the significance of the name thought the paper was setting itself up as a moral "reform" agency. SERVING EVERYONE "The change in name does not indicate any change what- ever in the policy of the paper," the proprietors stated. 'On the contrary, the new name is in- tended to represent more cor- rectly the policy that has pre- vailed for the past 10 years during which The Reformer has been independent of any politi- cal party. The publishers have felt for some time that a name having: a distinctive political significance was not appropri- ate for a newspaper that was. seeking to give political parties equally fair and impartial treat- ment. The new name will, it is hoped, completely remove the ambiguity which has existed." And today, more than ever in its history, the newspaper now known as The Oshawa Times, feels that the prime function of a newspaper is to publish news, not news merely relating to one political party or sectional group, but, in the words of its illustrious New York namesake "all the news that is fit to print". And whether or not The Oshawa Times agrees with the policies and aims of all the var- ious local groups and organiza- tions, its policy is to report and publish accounts of their meet- ings and activities as a legiti- mate news service to its reade ers and to the community, EARLY EDITORS The late Dr. David S. Hoig, in his book 'Reminiscences and Recollections', recalls that Sam Luke was associated with John Larke in the running of The Vindicator for many years. John Carswell, who learned printing in The Vindicator of- fice, was editor after Mr, Larke went to Australia and contin- ued in that position until he went to Red Deer, Alberta, where he published a news- paper of his own, After him came Charles Nicholson who owned and controlled The Vin- dicator for a number of years. He was followed by "Fighting Sam"* Graham, J. W. Watson, who succeeded Graham, en- countered financial difficulties which were serious. enough to end the life of the journal. One of the last issues of the Vindicator, in 1915, lists the of- ficers of the firm as: Charles Calder, MPP, Brooklin, presi- dent; M. . Smith, vice presi- dent: W. J. Watson, managing director and Miss Marion Leask secretary - treasurer. The news- paper then had its office at 57- 59 King St. E. and it was pub- lished every Friday morning. FIRST PUBLISHER W. R. Climie, editor and proprietor of The Bowmanville Statesman in 1871, was persua- ded to come to Oshawa and Start The Ontario Reformer in that year. The first issue of the new paper was published the first Friday of April 1871 from the building now occupied by the Saywell store, Simcoe St. S, and comprised a four - page sheet. The equipment was very limited, consisting of a Washington hand press and a No. 3 Gordon press, with a small quantity of type. Adver- tisements in this and other early issues appear crude, almost laughable, to modern eyes. TEA The newspaper format and typography, as well as the ar- ticles and services advertised, well reflect the old - fashioned printing methods in vogue in the 1870's and the relatively primitive equipment used in households and offices, on the farms and for transportation, just as the newspaper type and displays today indicate the pre- sent perfection of the printer's art and the countless wonderful inventions and conveniences that add no little to the com- fort and enjoyment of those who maintain the homes, work on the farms or travel the high- Ways at the present time. Oddly enough the first issue of The Reformer was secured by the late W. F. Glenn, a pro- minent member of the Conser- vative party, then dominant in the district. And, oddly enough, about a year later, Mr. Glenn, who had strongly opposed es- tablishment of the. new paper changed his political leanings, and bought out The Reformer. Later, he became a represent- ative for South Ontario in the House of Commons, thus illu- strating the fact that modern political leaders have no mon- opoly in. the art of making right-about turns when they deem it necessary. GREAT DEPRESSION In 1873 The Reformer was op- erated by a joint stock com- pany, organized by a group of prominent Liberals, and was known as The Ontario Reform- er Printing and Publishing Company. The printing and publishing business flourished for a time under Mr, Glenn's manage- ment, but when a great econ- omic depression overtook t he whole country, the owner was obliged to sell to Samuel Luke and J. S, Larke in 1875. These gentlemen according to early records, were also operating The Vindicator at the same time, Mr, Luke conducting The Reformer and Mr. Larke The Vindicator. EDWARD MUNDY The Reformer weathered the economic storm under the man- agement of Messrs. Luke and Larke but on July 1, 1878, it passed into the hands of the late Edward Mundy, who pub- lished and held a controlling in- terest in the paper for more than 40 years until his death in 1921. "HISTORY RECORDED BY THE TIMES, ERA BY ERA Alger, president, S. R, Alger, secretary and E. S, Alger, treasurer. . The newspaper, which b a daily on Nov. #2, 1923, was published from the Alger Press Building, King St. . A. H. Fennix, a former member of the editorial staff of 'The Guelph Mercury, was the irst editor when the news- aper assumed daily status. Under the able editorship and guidance of A. R. Alloway and his associates the paper ickly took its place among leading dailies in the prov- A special souvenir issue The Ontario Reformer, publish ed in 1911, states that Mr. Mun. dy's association with newspap er work dated back to 1860 when he became editor. and manager of The North Ontario Observer at Port Perry. He subsequently moved to Ux- bridge where he founded the Uxbridge Advocate, After four years he returned to Port Perry and established The Port Per- ry Standard. It is understood that, for a number of years, qui Mr. Mundy operated the news- th paper in Port Perry at the ine same time as the one in Osh- awa and that some of the sama type was used in both papers. CHARLES M. MUNDY In 1905, Edward Mundy took his son Charles M. Mundy, into the business with him as a partner and they successfully operated under the finm name of E> Mundy and Son until 'April 1, 1910. From 1909 to 1914 the business was conducted in the building on Simcoe St. S., now occupied by the National Trust Co. Ltd. In 1910 E, Mundy and Son sold out to the Reformer Print- ing and Publishing Co. Ltd., with E, Mundy as president and C. M. Mundy as secretary - treasurer. They continued, how- ever, in control of the com- pany. Owing to advanced years Mr. E. Mundy retired from the' active editorship of the news- paper at that time and was suc- ceeded by Frank M. Chapman, BA, of Toronto and later by the late A. S. McLeese. .Following the death of Mr. E. Mundy, the business passed into the con- trol of his son Charles M. Mun- dy, who continued to hold the reins until he passed away in 1943, id development of the as a daily after 1925, d with ~ of i printing business, tax- Ni capacity the splendid that was erected in the result that in 1927 a decisigg, Was reached to build a large agidition to the property to the so of the existing building. In (this year, also, the name of the paper was changed to "The Oshag'a Daily Times"'. , as previously deemed more the former per published of the whole pape coupli appropriate tha one, for a newspi in the interests community. OSHAWA--WHITBY (MERGER A year or so before the out- break of the Second Wat!d War, id mat- erial. made it difficult t basis -- Tuesday and \Thurs- day afternoons and Sahurday mornings. In February of the same year a four-times-a-\Veek schedule was inaugurated With the paper being published My°"- day, Wednesday, Thursday a"4 Friday afternoons. With the turn of more normal con tions, publication was i crease to five times a wee Saturday, in April, 1935, A further economy was made possible in January, 1942, by the amalgamation of The Osh- awa Times with the Whitby Ga- zette and Chronicle into one newspaper named The Oshawa Times - Gazette. Coincident with the announcement of the announcement of the wartime wartime return to tri-weekly publication on Tuesday, Thurs- day and Saturday, was that of the amalgamation of the papers serving two neighboring com- munities into one newspaper, containing a section devoted to the news and interests of the town of Whitby. The first issue DAILY IN 1925 In 1919 A. R. Alloway suc- ceeded A. S. McLeese as editor of The Reformer and at the same time the newspaper be- gan publishing as a semi-week- ly, A year later it changed from a semi-weekly to a tri-weekly, being published every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. This arrangement was _ continued until Oct. 1, 1925, when the Mundy Printing Co, Ltd., was formed and began publishing the newspaper as a daily. It was at this point also that The Reformer absorbed The Oshawa Telegram, which com- menced publication as a weekly in 1919, was operated by a company headed by 0. M. namely every wook day but\, of the new Oshawa Times- Gazette appeared Jan. 3, 1942. Reverting back a few years it should be noted that in 1929, A. R. Alloway relinquished the office of editor to become man- aging director of The Oshawa Daily Times. At that time, M. McIntyre Hood, a member of the editorial staff of The Wood- stock Sentinel - Review, as- sumed the duties of editor. He continued in this position until 1935 when he was appointed sec- retary of the Oshawa Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Hood re- turned to Oshawa as managing editor in 1948 and continued in that position until May of 1958, when he was appointed head of the London Bureau of the Thomson Newspapers. MANY CHANGES Following Mr. Hood's retires ment in 1935, the duties of edit- or were assumed by George K. Brown, who in turn relinquish- ed them in 1942, to take a po- sition with the Oshawa office - of the Unemployment Insurance a Commission. He was succeed- ed by W. Ford Lindsay, who had worked as editor of The Cobourg Sentinel - Star, follow- ing his apprenticeship as a re- porter with The Daily Times. A further change in publica- tion schedules took place on Oct. 1, 1946, with the return to daily publication. On May 1, 1951 The Times- Gazette became a part of the Thomson Newspaper group with A. R. Alloway continuing in the position of publisher and general manager, Two years later Mr. Alloway retired a9 publisher and was succeeded by the present publisher, Thomas L. Wilson, who had previously served as foreman of the com- posing room, advertising man- % ager, Vice president and man- % aging director. General mana- '\ ger today is E. C. Prince. '\. On Mr, Hood's departure, the p sition of managing editor 'as assumed by C. Gwyn Kin- seve who gave up his position as editor of Saturday Night to take \charge of the editorial de- pent. A graduate of the sity of Toronto, Mr. Kin- ved newspapers in Nor Dntario and then was the Woodstock Sen- ew. < t editor is Colin J, sey ser| thern editor 0! tinel Rev: The preset, McConechy, ¥ Carleton Uni Journalism awa after se Thomson New ern Canada. Our Fine Products are Fresh from LOCAL Farms Processed and Delivered by LOCAL Union Employees. BUY LOCAL .. . BUY OSHAWA DAIRY COMPANY LTD. 431 Simcoe St. South BOER EERORAALEL ES LEONE ERED ELAM E Oshawa Dairy Co. Ltd. Serving the Citizens of Oshawa & District for Three Generations GEORGE HART Founder 1874 « 1953 725-4719 OSHAWA | CENTEN b@ ix v6 TARY 30 Canada's pioneer: River Wagon and destination. And t Our customers are service that keep: through any kind our Centennial Ci customers? (You'l OSI Servic AUTC Proprietor: King Stre 19% DORR a es WE MISSEI YOUR FIRS HUNDRED Ot. it is our firm inten' awa and District dt .up to the minute TELEVISION needs TRIO For the Television back again, we he enced technicians | white television. "OUR WORKM/ "OUR SHOP | E TRIO A Our Towers are bet FM Antennas and A TELEVISION 35