The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-05-19

for us whether or not these reports
are true:"
Why. yes. III do so at once. Banks,
Ind a telegram TO Admiral Fletcher
liking him to transmit immediately |
> report on conditions in the City Of
Mexico.
This brief conversation took place
al o'clock the other morning be-
fween Josephus Daniels. Secretary of
he Navy, and one of the newspaper
mon stationed in the State. War and
Navy building at Washington.
II was only one of many little con
v.rsations of the kline that have oc-
e4rred there since the conflict be-
tween Mexico and the United States
began two or three weeks ago, and
hey all go TO prove he's survival Of
the newspaper man in the Tarheel
state member of PresideEi Wilson's
official family.
II il hadn't been for Josephus Dan
iels, Secretary of the Navy and man
gin editor Of ''7hefsaleigi News and
Observer" the greater part of the in
formation which has been given
promptly 10 the American people con
corning conditions in Vera Cruz, Tam
pico and other ports would, in all
probability, have not been made
known until the lapse of time had
robbed it of its freshness.
w men lht Heel a ~ ~ VITA
cruz and exciting things began to
happen Mr.. Daniels forgot at intervals
that he was Secretary of the Navy
and became the managing editor Of
The Wilson administration. His news
paper training old him that the peo-
pie we're hungry for news of Mexico.
and he at once set to work to give
it To them as quickly as possible.
lie at once organized his force as
the managing editor OF a daily news
paper would. He made Howard A.
Banks, his private secretary; l.. MICH.
Howe. private secretary TO the Assis-
tant Secretary of the Navy, and Frank
smith. his confidential clerk, asso-
ciate editors charged with the task of
distributing the news as quickly as
IL arrived there to the group of wait
ing men. Admiral Fetch
ct and Admiral Badger and the Off
GERS aud sailors of the American fleet
were made the reporters, and it
wasn't very long before complete and
detailed accounts of what was hap
pending in Mexico were being dis
tributcd from the Navy Department.
The system for distributing this in
formation was interesting. Most o.
the news so far has come from Nera
cruz. which is 5000 miles away from
Washington; but the system for re.
ceiNing and distributing it was SO com
RltlE lnat one tOull almost coIiNSIS<
with the admiral on the other end o,
the wire.
: telegraph office is just outside tn,
Door Of the office of the Secretary o
the Navy. Within two minutes afte1
Il telegram is received it is turned
10 either Mr.. Banks, Mr.. Howe OF Nj
smith. who take turns on watch.
News Given Out Within IL Few
Minutes.
" rs then turned over TO Captain
Mark H. Bristol and Commander vii
liam -. Leahy. the censors, who g
over II very quickly. They hold on
only hat part of the telegram whicl
may concern strategy or something Q
that Kim and in a few minutes it j
1ir1ed over to a st~enographer, VIII
Quickly monographs it and hands
10 the newspaper men. The averag
time etWee the receipt Of ii tele
gram from Admiral Fletcher or AID
mnrat Badger at the telegraph OffiC
and the distribution Of copies of it t
me newspaper men has not been MOI
IMAM fifteen minutes.
While, of course, Mr.. Daniels eS
lerienCe with the newspaper men ha
neon the reason for this excellent sci
vice II; nevertheless, would not hay
heen so successful had it not been fC
ne assistance of Mr.. Banks and M
Howe, both of whom are traine
newspaper men, and of Mr.. Sfaitl
who had considerable experience
publicity work at the Democrat
national headquarters, in New Yorl
Mt. Banks was at one time editor
me Hickory Democrat" in Mort
carolina, while Mr.. Howe over
albany for = New York newspaper.
i am glad to know" said Seer
vary Daniels, when he was compl
"tented on the way he has been ham
ing the news from Mexico for ii
Washington correspondents, that II
"horts are appreciated. l told Il
resident at the time he did me Il
honor TO make me his Secretary
me Navy that | supposed he wisnt
me TO be the managing editor OF II
Navy. / lind my newspaper trainiI
mas been Of great value to me in tn
r"sIOon and i find myself constant
'""hlhS upon every incident in Il
,'lfrln$ events IF The present Tin
~ Mexico from The newspaper Viea
CO. H., SC