The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1913-07-24

!
lected-The incompetent Do More
Harm Than Good.
Those things which we hold to be
true are what determine action. ideals
and ultimate destiny. Since public
conviction and public will control poll
cies and opportunities it is Of greatest
Importance that these should be found
formation that development may be
along the best lines and the least pos
sible hindrance be placed in the path
OF progress. Great truths and great
movements have not infrequently been
retarded or even ki:'od because Of the
prejudice or misconceptions existing
In the minds of the public. 1t Is i'm
portant not only TO establish the think
ing habit in our nation. but to enable
all to think truly and correctly. A
cause hampered by prejudice and i'll
will must use part of its energies In
combating these hindrances and is pre-
vented from utilizing all of its power
for normal activities and for realizing
its greatest usefulness.
Recognizing the influence of igno-
rance and miScOnceptiOn, all great or
| CARNATIONS and movements have al
most universally adopted the policy
of establishing publicity departments.
]
trend of public opinion in the making
rather than be compelled to combat
an unfriendly attitude that has become
crystallized They have also realized
| the miSchievOuS consequences of al
| lowing false statements TO remain IN
contrOverted and false impressions OF
| policies and purposes TO be circulated
| without contradiction. The public. with
no other information ut hand. would
accept as true false statements fire.
quently repeated and would be influ-
enced accordingly. Publicity depart
ments are established to challenge IN
correct statementc and to place the
movements before the public IN such
way that plans and purposes may
be clearly and Enthusiastically presented.
When the purposes and policies Of an
organization are publicly interpreted
1t is natural to suppose that this is
done with the sanction and consent of
the organization Often an impression
Is fixed which can never be eradicated
To prevent false conceptions from
gaining weight through such apparent
sanction 1t Is necessary to have some
definite plan for securing responsible
representatives. Like all other organ.
izations. the American Federation Of
Labor has suffered through misrep-
resentation In public addresses and
statements. often by well intentioned
but misguided people. and through |
the willful Misrepresentation of others |
who pose as authorized representa- |
tives and who knowingly disseminate |
theories opposed and repugnant to the |
very philosophy. basis. work and as
pirations of the organized labor move |
ment
To meet this difficulty resolution |
was introduced in the Rochester con-
ventiOn which provided that steps
should be taken to correct this condi-
ton and to prevent wrong apprehen-
sion and misconception Of the true
purposes Of the American Federation
OF Labor According to the plan pre-
sented in the resolution, the executive
council shall consider the establish
ment Of lecture bureau. Through
this bureau arrangements shall be
made for lecture courses to be held IN
der the auspices of central bodies and
local organizations. the general organ
fzation to pay all travelling expenses
and the local organization all local ex-
penses. Such a bureau would be Of
incalculab.e benefit 70 organized labor.
In former years 1t was the custom to
obtain labor speakers. particularly for
Labor day. through the offices Of the
American Federation Of Labor. and
there ought to be some method and
system by which speakers now could
be readily obtained on the various
necessary occasions.
The advantages OF such a system
can be readily seen. The speakers so
would be responsible men and
vouched for by those who are
IN touch with the whole movement and
al the workers. There would be none |
Of the apprehension and danger now
associated with securing speakers t
whose ability may prove to be disap-
pointing and whose statements may
hinder the cause they are intended to
further. Weak. inferior spokesman not
,nly fail to benefit the cause. but In 5
ure 1t by Ineffective. partial interpre- 8
atfons. BY having some central 5
gency to furnish lists Of speakers and
concerning them not only a
would more effective. capable speak !
rs be available. but the task Of pre- b
'aring for special occasions would be
% facilitated that these occasions t
would Increase IN number Better Il
presentation Of the cause of labor, the h
direction and refutation Of incorrect c
tatements with regard to our move
nent, the increase in the number of '
pecial meetings. would give an impetus =
o organization and would inspire all d
I the members with a greater en- l
husiasm. The convention Endorsed n
be purpose Of this resolution. but be- Il
ause lack Of funds to pay such a o
nrr1e - | a