New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-15
George CreeI, Magazine Writer,
Will Censor Nation's War News
President Names Bureau TO
Control Information
for Public

Washington. April II. Control Of
publicity IN connection with the gov
ernmeuts war activities was placed by
P-esideu, Wilson to-day IN the hands
cf Committee on Public Information.
whose task viii be 20 safeguard secrets
Of value 70 the enemy and at the same
time 20 see that all affairs Of the ma
ton are laid before the people as fully
and frankly as possible.
The committee named By the Presi-
dent is made up Of Secretaries Lansing.
Baker and Daniels. who recommended
the step. with George Creel. magazine
writer. a. civilian chairman. The fol-
lowing Executive order was made pub
.ic at the White House:
81 hereby create Committee on Pub
lac Information. to be composed Of the
Secretary Of state. the Secretary OF
War. the Secretary of the Navy and p
civilian. VINO shall be charged with the
executive direction Of the committee.
~ civilian chairman Of the commit
toe appoint NJ. George Crccl.
"Tuc secretary OF State. tn. Sccrc-
tarl Of War and the Secretary Of the
NaYv are authorized each 20 detail an
officer or officers to the work Of the
committee
Crecl Accepts Place
Mr. Creel has accepted his post. 1h'
Presidents action was based on the
following letter, signed by the three
Cabinet officers:
dear Mr.. President: Even though
the cooperation Of the press has been
generous and patriotic. there is
steadily developing need for some au-
thorita.iye agency to assure the pub
LEGATION of all the vital facts of ma
tional defence. Premature or ill-ad-
vi,cd announcements Of policies, plans
and specific activities. whether inno-
cent or otherwise, would constitute a
source Of danger
while there is much that is prop
crly secret i'm connection with the DE-
partments Of the government, the total
is small compared 10 the vast amount
Of information that IL is right and
"AmorIca's great present needs are
confidence. enthusiasm and service,
and tht<" needs will not be met COM
plctcly unless every citizen is given
the feeling of partnership that come
with full. frank statements concerning
the conduct Of the public business.
Authors Asked to Serve
"lt IS our opinion that the two
functions censorship and publicity 49,
can be- joined in honesty and with
profit. and we recommend the creation
OF 4 committee on public information.
The chairman should be a civilian,
preferably some writer Of proved
courage. ability and vision, able to
gain the understanding cooperation Of
the press and az the same time rally
the authors of the country 10 WORK
Of service. Other members should be
the Secretary of State, the Secretary
Of War and the Secretary Of the Navy.
or an officer or Offices detailed TO the
work by them.
owe believe you have the undouh'-
ed authority 10 create tins committee
on public information without waiting
for further legislation, and, because OF
the importance of the task and it,
pressing necessity, We trust that you
will sec TT to do go.
The committee, upon appointment.
can proceed 20 the framing OF regula-
tons and the creation OF machlnery
that viii safeguard all information of
value TO an enemy, and at the saT'