By: Joe Strupp In a rare move, the Detroit Free Press, which has been editorializing strongly for weeks in favor of a bailout for the three major auto companies, devoted its entire front page Friday to an editorial urging congress to approve a bailout.
In the form of a letter headlined, "DEAR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS," the Gannett Co. paper told Washington legislators, "You don't want an economic disaster on your hands. Not when you could have prevented it. And not in times that are already the worst in a generation.
"But that's exactly what you'll have ? and more ? if one of the three Detroit automakers goes belly-up for lack of a government-backed loan," the editorial continued. "There will be economic hell to pay ? not just in Detroit, but all across America, including in your state, in your district."
An image of the Page One can be found at:
http://media.freep.com/documents/freep12052008/index.htm
In addition, Editor Paul Anger wrote a front-page note to readers explaining the unusual decision, adding that copies of the paper are also being circulated in Washington, D.C., and specifically to members of congress.
"We have chronicled the U.S. auto industry since its birth, as Detroit became the world's Motor City, as cars and trucks changed the American culture and landscape, as assembly line jobs gave rise to the American middle class," Anger wrote. "Our journalists have reported the automakers' triumphs and exposed their troubles. We know this industry better than anyone.
"We also know that while a newspaper needs to inform, there are times when a newspaper needs to speak up for what's right."
Anger's note ended by saying: "We know because this industry has been our story since it started. And we know that America needs this story to continue."
The entire editorial and note can be found at:
http://www.freep.com/article/20081204/OPINION01/812050321
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