New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-03

IN THE PAST GIVEN BY
THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF.
LEAKAGEs DIE NOT so MICH TO THE
NEWSPAPERS AS TO PUBLIC

Inv TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrRrvr.l

Washington. Sept 2-secretary Roots response
N = renuest that representatives. % the press be
allowed 10 he present at the important tests OF
guns and explosives at the Sandy Hook Proving
Grounds was: "1 sorry but don't think II is
possible 10 allow you 70 go along The Government
I'm these tests is in very much the same position
any one engaged I'm any branch NJ trade IS. where
there are competitors such one would not show
his books 10 his rival and enable him 10 learn All
the OF his trade and yet II you were 10 &C
company MS that Is exactly what We would he
doing for the Government would throw open its
books and expose 20 all its rivals this part Of It's
method OF carrying on its business. Certain tests
are be made that render II necessary that II
should be carried privately. and be. in fact, a
sort Of Army family affair"
Lieutenant / y. Lewis Of the artillery the re-
corder Of the Board OF Ordnance and Forthcations,
said 70 newspaper men: Secretary Root is very
anxious that nothing definite should get into print.
either about the experiments had to-day those
70 be held hereafter I heartily agree with him and
feel that no efforts too strenuous be- taken 70
accomplish this end. There has been altogether too
much publicity I'm the past Take thorite az an in
stance Nothing should he known of this explosive
yet the press has published columns concerning H.
The direct result Of this publicity is that
perimenting not alone for ourselves but for the
whole civilized world well and this publicity has
become serious dra wback 70 the development OF
our modern high explosive The Secretary is de-
termlned that Il shall stop ami that hereafter there
shall be more leakage
But as has previously been remarked in these
dispatches the publications heretofore-"throwing
open the Government books and exposing 10 all its
rivals this part of its method Of carrying on its
business" were NOT made IN the press alone. The
fact is that the too great publicity In the past
and the 'leakages" were largely effected in Gov
eminent official reports where from year 70 year.
minute de- ails were given Of tests and important
experiments. and for every column published IN the
newspapers there were probably hundreds II pages
Of pub docs" containing detailed accounts and
accurate Illustrations. showing minutely the prog
ress of experiments with guns and explosives and
the plans and works on fortihcations and harbor
defences After the outbreak Of war last year. for
instance. there appeared I'm THE Congressional
Record" complete list NJ the coast fortihcations
Of the United States with fun details. which could
NOT have been furnished by any one. except under
authority Of the War Department.
The recorder Of the Board said further that
already too many attaches Of foreign countries
are altogether too well informed as 20 what We are
doing None Of them were present today Foreign
newspapers also are getting deal too much IN
formation as TO our doisgs I'm ms tine.
One way 10 avoid exposing 10 rivals thls pStt
Of the Departments method or carrying on us
business 4, 10 use the blue pencil on Government
nflb docs " which would least limit 10 some ok
,ert tGo facility with which attaches Of foreign
countries become informed AS 10 whaf We are
doing" and foreign newspapers also "oulu H't n
deal less Information as 10 the Governments 90
ings IN this line