The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-02-25


eral law the killing OF useful species
already has passed the senate and
may pass the house at this session
II. In the hurry of things. the bill
does not pass il will be introduced
again Immediately after the converting
OF the extra session. II is left to con.
gress. however, to strike the dead.
lest blow at the plumage traffic
through the tariff laws. Ills apparent
that one blow, not vital. will be struck
and that the deadller stroke will be
reserved until humanity and educa-
tional effort have been given little
longer lease OF time for continued
earnestness OF endeavor.
" T. Hornaday of New York Zooiog.
ical society and T. Gilbert Pearson.
secretary of the National Association
OF Audubon Societies, have been tell
ing Mr.. Underwood and his ways and
means colleagues some facts about the
feather trade. John Burroughs, the
naturalist, is here doing what he can
in his forceful missionary way to turn
the heart Of congress TO the human
ties OF the case and the head of con.
gress to its necessities.
Wilson Favors Publicity.
Democratic leaders in Washing
on hear that it is Woodrow vii.
sons intention TO make publicity
one OF the efforts OF his adminstra
;ioI. The president-elect's reticenc,
concerning present matters OF burning
public curiosity and his disnclination
10 take the country into his confidence
on cabinet matters. makes the promise
OF future publicity seem little
strange. but publicity in Legislative
matters has been marked IN New Jer
sey since Mr.. Wilson became its gov
ernor and it is said that he has found
II to be public benefit
Mr.. Wilson's first pronounoement in
favor of publicity after he should be
come president was Withdrawn some
what hastily. The open door plan
which he advocated was really n pub
licity plan. but he found out, perhaps
from Mr.. Taft in part and certainly
from senator's and representatives.
th2t IL he tried keeping the door open,
the flood would set In and swamp hiny
and all persons connected with the
White House.
II Mr.. Wilson intends to live up &c
his publicity promise IL means that he
will talk freely to visitors and except
in certain cases will waive the rule
that all is in confidence" 1t means
also that he will tell the newspapers
freely what he thinks on public al,
fairs and perhaps that he will allow
the use of the direct quotation. II this
latter course shall appeal to him he
Will depart at pretty nearly right
angle from the path followed by most
OF his predecessors.
There is a Law in Washington, un
written but stronger than any statute
that the president is not TO be quoted
This does not mean that what the pres.
ident thinks or what the president in.
tends to do does not get into the news.
papers. Presidents talk freely tc
some OF the newspaper correspondents
and do so with the understanding. un.
less direct request 10 the contrary Is
given, that What they say may b,
used, but net in quotation markf.
How Roosevelt Gave His Views.
President Taft has departed from
the rule OF no quotes" number OF
times. Mr.. Roosevelt lived up 10 il
pretty rigldly and yet his views wer,
given more freely than those OF ans
man who ever sat in the White House
Mr.. Roosevelt believed In publicity
Newspaper accounts of happenings &c
come given on high authority" or by
zone qualified TO speak for the admin
istration." were printed frequently and
freely and served the ends OF bringing
expressions of support or opposition
from the public. and II vas Roosevelts
desire always to know how the public
felt. II is believed In Washing ION that
II Mr.. Wilson intends TO use publicity
as an agent he will follow the persona
rule OF Roosevelt pretty closely In thu
matter. It is not expected that h,
will use the quotes" but that he will
reach toe same end by the indirect
method
Whom PRESIDENT TAFT entered thu
White House there was for a time al
most complete reversal OF cOndi
tons. Mr. Taft said little to member,
OF congress which he showed any de
sire 10 have printed. and for a Ions
time h. virtually declined 10 see any
press re personalities stationed In
Washington. II did not take the pres.
ident lonR to come 10 the conclusion
that he had made a mistake. or IN h.
did not reach this conclusion himself
some OF lis friends reached IL for hin
and following its reaching. the public
was allowed TO know something direct.
ly about what the president thought
ought 10 lie done, Mr.. TAFT has been
great believer in the plan Hf going Il
the people and telling II frat hand
His publicity trouble was tsat. tTayel
as much as he did. there were long
periods cf time when he Was com
PEELED TO remain in Washington anL
the people had TO wait for their infor
nation. Publicity however, finally
came into its own IN the Taft admit
istra zion.