New-York tribune., 1907-12-30
AN OFFICIAL JOURNAL.
Representative HObsOn Wants the
Government to Print q Newspaper.
TFron The Tribune Bureau.


Washington. Dec. 29.-After some months prepa-
ration Representative Richmond Pearson Hobson.
Of Alabama, has formulated his idea of official
government newspaper. which he considers valuable
and necessary and at the recOnvening of Congress,
a week from Monday, he will introduce a bill pro-
viding that such publication be started. Mr.. Hob
son feels first of all, that every department of the
government is doing much work which would inter-
est and aid the people of the country. and he be-
Heves, too that there is much documentary waste
In his opinion which he formed his district, the
great body of the people ignorant of what Is
being accomplished in Washington because they
have no way Of following the governmental work
ngs
He has carefully prepared a specimen copy OF
the publication. which calls THE official jour
nal,' and which embodies the general outline or
what he considers essential to more complete
understanding between the government and Il
people. He does not wish TO give the impression
that his specimen is worthy from news or poFi-
lar point of view. but he has prepared it more as
guide to criticism or as working basis.
His bill provides that tho Public Printer shall
publish at least weekly. for the information and
instruction of the people. an official journal which
shall contain brief notices Of the work OF the vari-
executive departments and independent Ju-
rcaus of the Cover meut. of the Supreme Court and
of Congress. fa~ as they may be of general pub
lie inter' Section > establishes joint com
mittee co..Isting of TWO members of the House Of
Represent; ives. one Senator, Supreme c. urt
justice. and sacmber each from the Depart
ments of Agriculture. Postoffice and Commerce and
La Dor. arrange the preparation of the pub
lication by contract or in any manner that they
may see lit. His idea is that it be issued stimuli
taneously in Washington, at some point in the
Middle West and also the Pacific Coast. The
size is left to the Joint committee. and the dis
tribution shall be free unGer Section T. each post
master and each rural free delivery carrier main
tanning list of citizens to whom they shall regu-
IarIy deliver copies of this official journal. The
journal is to be composed Of contributions from the
heads OF all government departments Original
editorial matter is barred and 1t is stipulated that
the tone of the journal shall be strictly impartial
and non-partisan in character. The sum of $4,000
is 20 be appropriated for equipment and $4,000 for
carrying out the plan.
In discussing the proposed journal and his rea-
sons for preparing the bill Mr.. Hobson said: Tho
official journal is intended TO make a connecting
link between the government and the people. and
will in effect be periodical report of the work
done in all branches OF the government. IL VIII
show the people how to make use of the govern
ment publications. and will put those publications
into circulation where they most necessary
The project grew out of my work with the Agri-
cultural Department. where l found that vast
amount of most valuable material did not reach
the people for whom 1t intended. first took
this material to the people my district. with
the result that property values OF all kinds in
creased materially and that an era OF improved
agriculture has begun
..on further examination 1 found that not only
the Department OF Agriculture but all otheT depart
were issuing publications for the purpose of
giving the results of their work TO the people, and
that although there almost two hundred
weekly publications. absolutely essential infor'na-
ton reaches the people. I believe that this
journal. aside from instructng the people, will be
a means of familiariZng them with the work that
the government is doing and will create interest
and confidence. 1t seems TO me- too, that II Will
help the press OF the country, not only by serving
as a ready index but in creating a taste and de
mand for reading matter. The present estimates
contemplate allowing each Congressman and Sen
ator furnish the of 1900 persons who will
receive the journal Eight hundred thousand add
tonal copies will he printed, making about 100000
copies in all. The Postotfce Department can
handle the copies In blocks. thus saving the ex-
pense of addressing the publication There is no
doubt in my mind that the idea Is practical one.
and though an nnovat ton. not one to be feared
II is Mr. Hobson's idea to have a staff of thor
ouChy trained newspaper men to handle the news
which is sent in by the various departments. Just
how the iii will be received cannot be hazarded
but Mr. Ftobson has made inquiry, and finds that
most of the department officials are in favor Of IT.