Evening journal., 1914-05-06
800 WRITERS ON
WASHINGTON JOB
National Capital Has the
Largest Family of News
paper Workers
TUMULTY ALWAYS
HAS WILLING EAR
BY BUr ON X. STANDISH.
lMritten for the United pressl

AWfltttu Tor the lnltcu Iftsrl
WASHINGTON, May 0-Everyone
who has been reading the newspapers
during the last fortnight has probably |
been wondering exactly how the news ,
papermen at the National Capital /
Cover developments. IL Is worth while |
in this connection TO note that prob |
ably Washington has more newspaper /
men as residents, than any city of the
world.
There are nearly 250 stan correspon
dents who are members of the press
galleries. These are the newspapermen
officially credited and permitted to view
the proceedings in Congress from the
press galleries. The rules are very
strict. Only writer's who daily "hle
stuff by telegraph are permitted. The
250 membership does not nearly cover
all those connected with newspaper work
here.
The National Press Club alone num-
] bers nearly $50 active working news
papemen among it members. Many
writer's of course, are not members.
Then, too, there are at least 200 other
men and women who do "odd Jobs" OF
cofrespOndence-sec secretaries to senators
and representatives., government EN-
ployes and the like. IL is therefore con-
ceded that counting everybody here who
does writing for the newspapers and
magazines, there are at least 500 CORE
spondents in Washington.
The working newspapermen are ON
cially recognized by the government
Mention has been made of the arrange
ment at the Capitol where there is
committee Of correspondents who gov
ern the galleries. There are press rooms
lat the White House Executive Offices;
the Navy Postoifice, Treasury, Inter
state Commerce and other departments.
Most OF the cabinet officers have
definite hours on which they receive
the correspondents. President VIII
son sees them at least twice weekly
at 1880 a. m, Mondays, and at 23O on
Thursdays. or course, except with
special permission, the President new
er 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." without use Of quo
tations. Cabinet officials are always
: quoted. except where they make spe-
cial prohibition. OF course most of
: the news at the White House comes
from those who call there. Official
news naturally is announced. but II Is
from the officials. prominent men
senator's, representatives and army
and navy officers who visit the Pres.
ident that the White House corps gel
most OF their copy"
p Initiating the Capitol corps, tho
White House correspondents have
also recently formed an association o
= newspapermen, for mutual protection
and interest.
Only authorized staff newspaper
deals with the newspapermei
through this official organization
Secretary to the President Tumult,
upset all traditions when he took hi
\ job. Heretofore it had always beer
necessary to send in card when th'
secretary was asked for an interview
!. Now Tumulty's door is always opeI
j and a correspondent seeking informa
ton can get his ear instantly.
Another man in official life who ha.
upset all expectations or traditions is
( Secretary Bryan. The Nebraskan ha.
] had a good deal TO do with newspaper
! men for number of years.
He has always been very fun, fr6nl
] and free in discussing matters will
! them. That is. he was full and franl
\ and free. He isn't now. He is about
! the toughest proposition in news way
of anybody here.
Z OF course he isn't as bad as former
counsellor of the State Department
\ John Bassett Moore. Moore could givi
q slam big handicap and beat it il
the silence stakes. Daniels himself
Z newspaper man. talks very freely. Gar
4 rison does likewise. McReynolds il
Il only "fair" as a newspaper victim.
4 Burleson is very mum ordinarily
4 Lane is universally popular; he's no
4 much on the talking, but he's direct an,
( if he says he can't discuss a thing, th
4 newspapermen know he means it.
Il Houston, Redfeld and Wilson are ais,
!. rather inclined to soft-pedal when i
4 comes to talking. The newspapermei
Il at the White House "pump" the entir
s cabinet, and then put together the an
a swers the members give, usually witt
y great success in arriving at what ac
I. tually happened at cabinet meetings.