George R. Dale, crusader for free speech and a free press

Abstract

In the mid 1920's Muncie, Indiana, was exposed to the penetrating scrutiny of Robert S. Lynd and Helen M. Lynd, which resulted in the sociological treatise, Middletown. In the mid 1930's the sociological team once again descended upon "Middletown" to see what, if any, changes had taken place in the intervening ten years. The results of this survey were embodied in an equally famous treatise, Middletown In Transition. Figuring prominently in both surveys was George R. Dale, the crusading editor of the Muncie Post-Democrat of Middletown and the controversial mayor-editor of Muncie in Middletown In Transition.The purpose of this study is to present the story of Dale's battle with political corruption, Klan bigotry, and most of all, his fight for freedom of speech and a free press. The copies of the Muncie Post-Democrat and other pertinent sources which the writer deemed necessary for a proper evaluation of the study have been utilized.