Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-04-17
PRESIDENT IMPOSES
CENSORSHIP ON PRESS
BY NAMING A BOARD
Secretaries of War and Navy
and George CreeI, Members,
Will Combine Suppression
and Publicity in New Plan

WASHINGTON. April 1.-THE ma
cninery of velvet glove" censorship
was set in motion by order of President
Wilson today.
without waiting for sanction by con-
gress the president named board to
prevent the publication of policies,
plans and specific activities which might
constitute a source of danger
The board starts its work at once.
1t includes Secretary of War Baker
Secretary of State Lansing, Secretary OF
rhe Navy Daniels and George Creel, civ
Ilian chairman.
At the request of the three department
heads President Wilson created the
committee on public information" by
executive order.
At once the committee is to proceed
with the framing of regulations Ito
safeguard all information of value to
the enemy and at the same time to
open every department Of the govern
ment to the inspection OIL the people as
far possible
The following letter signed by the
three secretaries, recommended the &C
ton:
Dear Mr. President: Even though the
erous ard patriotic, there is a steadily
developing need for some authoritative
agency to assure the publication of all
the vital facts of national defense. Pre-
mature or ill-advised announcements of
policies, plans and specific activities,
whether innocent or otherwise, would
constitute a source of danger.
while there is much that is properly
secret in connection with the depart
ments of the government the total is
small compared to the vast amount of
information that is right and proper
for the people to have
NEEDS FRANK STATEMENTS.
'Ameica's great present needs are
confidence, enthusiasm and service, and
these needs will not be met completely
unless every citizen is given the feeling
OF partnership that comes with full,
frank statements concerning the con-
duct of the public business.
1T is our opinion that the two func-
tions-censorship and publicity-can be
Joined i'm honesty and with profit, and we
recommend the creation of a 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 at the
same time rally the authors of the
country to a work of service. other
members should be the secretary of
state, the secretary of war and the sec
rotary of the navy. or an officer or Off
GERS detailed to the work by them.
I'VE believe you have the undoubted
authority to create this committee on
public information without waiting for
further legislation, and because of the
Importance of the task and it's press
ing necessity, we trust that you will see
fit to do so.
THE committee. upon appointment,
can proceed to the framing of regula-
tions and the creation of machinery that
will safeguard all information OF value
to an enemy. and at the same time open
every department of government to the
inspection of the people as far as pos
sible. Such regulations and such ma
chinery will, of course, be submitted
for your approval before becoming eff
fective."
TEXT OF ORDER.
The presidents executive order Gre
ating the board was made public at the
White House tonight as follows
Il hereby create a committee on pub
lie information. to be composed Of the
secretary of state. the secretary of war,
the secretary of the navy, and a civilian
who shall be charged with executive di-
rection of the committee.
"As civilian chairman of the COM
mittee. l appoint Mr.. George Creel
THE secretary of state, the secretary
of war. and the secretary of the navy
are authorized each to detail an Of
ficer or Officers to the work of the
committee.
(SignedD WOODROW WILSON.
Mr.. Creel, who was called 10 Wash
ington for a conference several days
400 has accented his post