The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-03-13
EDITORIAL POLICY
OF OUTLOOK FIXED
Roosevelt Not Responsible
for Views Expressed.
SYMPATHY WITH INSURGENTS
magazine FavOrs Changes In Rules
OF House of Representatives, but
ex-President Need Not Subscribe TO
These Doctrines, Is Explanation
Made by President OF Company.

New York. March 12.-Lawrence +. Alb
bott, president OF the Outlook Publishing
Company. declared with much emphasis
tonight that the outlook's contract with
Theodore Roosevelt does not require the
publication TO agree with him implicitly
on all matters OF editorial policy; neither
does II require Col Roosevelt 10 agree
with the Outlook. The fact that the pub
hcation is for a thing may indicate that
the ex-President is for II. or Il may indi-
cate just the opposite All that Col
Roosevelt Is held responsible for is what
appears in the publication over his own
name.
DR.. Abbott made these statements in
discussing the Outlooks attitude toward
the reorganization Of the procedure in
the House Of Representatives. Dispatches
from Washington this afternoon stated
that Victor Murdoch. one Of the insur-
gent Congressman. was believed 10 be
IN possession OF letter from Or. Lyman
Abbott. editor OF the Outlook. some
days ago. In which Dr. Abbott expressed
his sympathy and support with the move
ment This was taken to mean that Col.
Roosevelt's sympathy and support was
also with the insurgents.
Never Wrote TO MurdOck.
Ny father never wrote a letter to
Representative Murdoch. as he Is re-
ported 10 have done" said Mr.. Abbott.
II had been no secret that the sym
pathies OF the Outlook are with reorgani-
"a ton at the proper time. for IN an edi-
torial printed on March s. which was pre-
pared before Col. Roosevelt took I'D his
duties with Us. the editorial policy Of the
magazine was clearly defined. There is
no doubt that II my father had written
letter TO Representative Murdoch he
would have expressed sympathy with the
movement, but. as / say. ne didn't write
one"
Mr.. Abbott dictated this statement on
the magazines attitude:
THE attitude OF the Outlook toward
the insurgent movement IN Congress was
determined before Col. Roosevelt became
associated with this publication. We
heartily agree with the general plan OF
reorganization proposed By the sO-calIed
insurgents. but also believe Il may be
necessary 10 postpone the reorganization
or legislative procedure In the House I'M
81 next autumn In order not 10 inter
fere With tariff reform. which is the par
ucular function Of the special session.
This. We believe. is President Taft's
view"
Declines 40 Discuss Matter.
Mr.. Abbott declined 70 say whether the
insurgent question was discussed at the
editorial council at the Outlook ONCE last
Wednesday when Col. Roosevelt was
there. stating that the council IS a
strictly family matter But upon the gen
eral subject OF Col Roosevelt and the
editorial policy Of the Outlook. Mr.. Alb
bolt said:
There appears 10 be an impression
existing IN some quarters that II the
Outlook Is for a certain thing. il Is a
sure indication that Col Roosevelt Is for
Il, too. Col Roosevelt's contract with US
merely requires that he be responsible
for what appears in the magazine over
his own signature
1T does not require the Outlook 10 SUBJ
nit matters OF editorial policy 20 him; nor
does II compel him TO write only such
views as are supported by the Outlook.
For instance, in next weeks issue OF the
magazine its attitude on the reOrganiza-
ton OF the House viii be treated Of more
in detail but IL is not 10 be understood
that the remarks made then have either
the approval or disapproval OF Col Roose-
welt"