Imperial Valley press., 1914-05-08
HOW WASHINGTON
NEWS is COVERED
BY BURTON K. STANDISH
(Writted for the United Press)


ing the last fortnight has probably
been wondering exactly how the news
papermen at the National Capital
"cover" developments. 1t is worth
while in this connection, to note that
probably Washington has more news
papermen as residents, than any city
of the World.
There are nearly $50 staff CORES
pondents who are members of the
Pr IS Galleries. These are the news
papermen officially credited and per-
mitted to view the proceedings in Con-
gress from the press galleries. The
rules are very strict. Only writers
who daily "fle stuff" by telegraph are
permitted. The 25O membership does
not nearly cover all those connected /
with newspaper work here.
The National Press Club alone num-
bers nearly $50 active working news
papermen among its members. MAN.
writer's of course, are not members
Then too, there are at least two hun
dred other men and women who do
'odd jobs" of correspondents
taries to senators and representatives,
government employees, and the like
1t is therefore conceded that count
ing everybody here who does writing
for the newspapers and magazines,
there are at least 800 correspondents
in Washington.
The working newspapermen are of
ically recognized by the government.
Mention has been made of the ar
rangement at the Capital, where there
is committee of correspondents who
govern the galleries. There are press
rooms at the White House Execu-
tive Offices; the Navy; Postoffice,
Treasury, Interstate Commerce, and
other Departments.
Most of the cabinet officers have
definite hours on which they receive
the correspondents. President Wilson
sees them at least twice weekly-at
1880 a. m. Mondays and at 2:3O on
Thursdays. Of course, except with
special PERMISSION, the President never
is quoted directly. Correspondents
! from time immemorial have always
managed, however, to use what the
President tells them by writing that
''the PRESIDENT told his callers today
that so-and-so" within use of quota
tions. Cabinet officials are always
quoted, except where they make spe-
cial prohibition. Of course most OF
the news at the White House comes
from these who call there. Official
news naturally is announced, but it
is from the officials, prominent men,
senators, representatives and army
and navy officers who visit the Presi-
dent that the White House corps get
most of their copy"
Initiating the Capital corps, the
White House correspondents have also
recently formed an association Of
newspapermen, for mutual protection
and interest.
Only authorized staff newspape@,
men are eligible The White House
deals with the newspapermen through
this official organization.
Secretary to the President Tumulty
upset all traditions when he took his
job. Heretofore it had always been
necessary to send in a card when the
sec1 etary was asked for an interview
Now Tumulty's door is always open
and a correspondent seeking infor-
nation can get his ear instantly.
Another man in official life who has
upset all expectations or traditions
is Secretary Bryan. The Nebraskaa
has had a good deal to do with news
papermen for a number Of years.
He has always been very full, frank
and free in discussing matters with
them. That is, he was full and frank
and free. He isn't now. He is about
the toughest proposition IN news
way of anybody here.
OF course he isn't as bad as former
Counsellor of the State Department
ohm Bassett Moore. Moore could give
clam a big handicap, and beat it
in the silence stakes. Daniels, himself
a newspaperman, talks freely. CARR
son does likewise. McReynolds is only
"fair" as a newspaper victim.
. Burleson is very mum ordinarily
Lane is universally popular; he's not
much on the talking, but he's direct
and if he says he can't discuss a
thing, the newspapermen know he
means it.
Houston, Redfeld and Wilson are
also rather inclined to soft-pedal wheN
it comes to talking. The newspaper
men at the White House pump" the
entire cabinet, and then put together
fbo atocuorC tho man, bnrc triVn tictlaI