The San Francisco call., 1908-04-05
Government Press Agent New Thorn
in Side of Capital Law Makers
Employment Of Clerks to Take Dryness Out
Of Reports Sirs Fine Fuss
BY Ira e. Bennett

he believes that the forest service de-
serves criticism he is perfectly free to
make ii. The service could neither
stifie criticism nor palm off ready
made views, even were there any de-
sire to do so. Everything that is given
out or sent out goes from the office
bearing indication of it's source. What
ever is done is done in the full light
of day and any improper activity could
only injure the service"
notwithstanding this able presenta-
ton of the matter the government
press agent is likely to be the sub
ject of animated discussion in con-
gress. There are other press agents
besides those employed by the forest
service. The geological survey has
two bright young men, one of them
engaged in the 1audable work of ex-
plotting the activities of the division
i'm charge OF tests of structural ma
terisls, mine timbers, steam and gas
engines, etc. and the other devoting
his energies to promoting the reclama-
ton of swamp and arid lands.
The most prominent use of the press
as an auxiliary of the government is
the publication of the Canal Record
in the canal zone by the isthmian
canal commission. The editor of this
newspaper-a government newspaper
is Joseph Bucklin Bishop, secretary of
was in Washington until year or so
ago, when the commission was moved
bodily to the zone.
DREW $4,000 SALARY
While here he was paid $4,000 a
year under the Shonts administration
as a press agent and inquiry by con-
gress developed the fact that his prin-
cipal duty was to boost the canal COM
mission and explain away the public
criticisms leveled against it. A few
short, crisp words from Senator Hale
put an end to Bishops activities as a
government press agent and he was
then appointed secretary to the COM
mission. Since he went to Panama the
Canal Record has been started and he
has been made editor.
The Canal Record is a newsy little
sheet. It's editorials are as drowsy and
noncommittal as those of the London
Times or any other government organ.
1t gives personals, record of the dig
ging operations, sporting events, social
doings, steamer sailings, and occasion
ally letters from Pro Bono Publico and
Veritas. An etire copy of the Canal
Record was reproduced bodily the other
day in that other spicy daily published
by the government--the Congressional
Record. 1t was inserted at the request
of Senator Culberson, who did. not
quite approve of the idea of running
a paper for the purpose of digging a
canal Senator Hale said he did not
find much objection to the Canal Rec
ord. and, in fact, he thought it might
be advantageous in setting forth facts
that the public should know.
The president suggested two years
ago that a newspaper should be estab
lished by the government here, for the
publication of purely official matters,
such as army and navy orders, notices
of bids wanted and contracts awarded,
and a thousand and one items of purely
public nature. The Keep commission
struggled with this subject among
few thousand other tasks outlined for
ii, and died a glorious death endeav-
oring to breast the billows of red tape
that boiled up and over 1T.
The Government Gazette is unborn,
but it may come to light at any mo-
ment. God give us the good fortune
paper when it comes, Satires, many
it's coming. The doings of the White
House family have been forecast a la
Windsor and Sandringham; the editorial
policy Of the state department has been
outlined for it by the wits of CONNER
cial newspapers; the probable blue pen
cilings of the distinguished White
House editor in chief have been dis
cussea; the laudatory comments of spe-
cial bureau writers have been thought
out, and the methods to be adopted
by the government circulation manager
in offering prizes, comics, piano and