Josiah Williams Gitt

Background

Gitt was born on March 28, 1884, in Hanover, Pennsylvania, the son of Clinton Jacob Gitt and Emma Koplin.

Education

Gitt received a B. A. in 1904 from Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he excelled in football, baseball, and track. After studying law at the University of Pittsburgh, he was admitted to the York County bar in 1908.

Career

Gitt practiced law in York, Pennsylvania, until 1915, when he and his associate, Allen C. Weist, purchased controlling interest in the York Gazette. Three years later they bought the York Daily, and their newspaper became known as the York Gazette and Daily. Under Gitt, who was editor and publisher, the Gazette and Daily became widely known. While he considered himself a Jeffersonian Democrat, Gitt never felt compelled to toe the party line. In 1924 he backed Robert M. La Follette for the White House. He lent support to Gifford Pinchot, the pioneer conservationist, who became a close personal friend. He also backed the New Deal of Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1948 Gitt became chairman of the Progressive party of Pennsylvania, and his paper was the only non-Communist daily to endorse Henry A. Wallace for president. He was an early opponent of McCarthyism, which he considered contrary to American values, and he also took up women's causes. Gitt said his views were shaped by the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Sermon on the Mount. He advocated an international organization that would settle disputes peacefully. His paper was also unique in that cartoons (drawn by Walt Partymiller) appeared regularly on the front page rather than the editorial page. An opponent of racism, Gitt practiced what he preached. Gitt was a forerunner in the campaign against cigarette smoking. He opposed the use of tobacco personally and banned cigarette advertising from his newspaper. He also refused to carry advertising for alcoholic beverages, and in 1964 he printed no advertising for Barry Goldwater. For many years Gitt was a trustee of Franklin and Marshall College. He and his newspaper also shared many awards. The Gazette and Daily received the N. W. Ayer certificate four times for typographic excellence among tabloid newspapers. The 1957 Ayer Cup credited it with the best makeup of any newspaper in the United States of any size or format. Gitt sold the Gazette and Daily in 1970 after operating it for fifty-five years. He requested that its name be changed, and it became the York Daily Record. He died in Boston, Massachussets on October 7, 1973.

Achievements

• Gitt is best remembered as chief editor of the York Gazette and Daily.

Politics

While he considered himself a Jeffersonian Democrat, Gitt never felt compelled to toe the party line.

Interests

• Sport & Clubs

  Gitt was an active golfer.

Connections

On June 12, 1913, Gitt married Elizabeth Glatfelter Moul. They had four children.

Father:

Clinton Jacob Gitt

Mother:

Emma Koplin

Spouse:

Elizabeth Glatfelter Moul

References

• Sweet Land of Liberty