The Press: The Stolen Column Case

Early last November when Detroit's evening News bought out the Hearst chain's ailing Detroit Times (TIME, Nov. 21), one of the most valuable properties that changed hands was genial, chubby-faced Dr. Joseph G. Molner, 53. Though his column appears in 217 U.S. dailies, Dr. Molner's question-and-answer "To Your Good Health" is biggest in his home town, where it is a favorite court of appeal for health bugs. Last week, to the rage of the News and the embarrassment of Dr. Molner, his medical advice was also enhancing the circulation of the rival morning Free Press. And the Free Press was getting Molner's services for nothing.

The Free Press's larceny was perfectly legal. A month ago, enviously watching the News pick up the lion's share of the defunct Times's circulation, Free Press Managing Editor Frank Angelo was suddenly reminded of the fact that, besides writing his column, Dr. Molner is health commissioner of Detroit and surrounding Wayne County. Angelo sent a reporter around to the doctor with a list of 20 questions (sample: "Does donating blood do a fat person any good?") and asked that the doctor answer them in his official capacity. Unhappily concluding that "as a public servant I have no choice," Dr. Molner supplied answers, which the Free Press doled out in daily columns until its material was all used up.

The News professed not to mind. "I'm not disturbed," said News Managing Editor Harvey Patton. "They're just jealous, and it's good promotion for our column." But last week, encouraged by the reader response to its new "column," the Free Press decided to go right on promoting Dr. Molner with his reluctant cooperation. Sending him another list of "public health" questions, the paper also assigned a reporter to crib more free Molner medical lore from the doctor's regular appearances on Detroit TV station WJBK and Detroit radio station WJR.