Evening star., 1918-01-27
FOUR-M|NUTE men
PLAYING BIG PART
Serving Government With Pa
triotic Messages to Nov
inq Picture Audiences.
~ Minute Men L."

~ Minute Men L."
You have seen that phrase flashed or
the screen during the fntermtssion al
the movie" theater. and you nave MS
tened to the speaker who for four MIN
utes talked to you about the Red Cross
drive for membership or about the rea-
son why you should buy THRIFT stamps
But did you stop to think just what
that speaker really stood there for. and
whom he represented!
What Government Would Say.
Literally scores of thousands of Wash
instonians have listened to the Wash
1ngton "four-minute men, during the
past few months. yet it Is safe pet
that few realized they were listening to
q man who was voicing what the gov
ernment" would say If 1.-The govern
Inent'' could climb up on the stage and
talk.
The "four-minute man" you listen to
at your movie show" Is presented to
you by the United States government
He speaks by authority Of the commit
tee on public information appointed by
the President.
10000 Serve Without Pay.
There are now about 10000 of these
"four-minute men" throughout the
country whose voices. on nationally
important topics, reach millions of peo-
pie. who. Just like yourself, go to the
movies"
These speakers all serve without l
cent of pay; they even pay their own
The purpose and plan back Of the
''four-minute men" are interesting.
Organized Throughout Nation.
The Four-minute Men. a nationwide
Organization Of volunteer sneakers,
was formed June 16, 1917. for the pur-
pose of assisting the various depart
ments Of the government In the work
Of national defense during the conttnu-
uance of the war by presenting mes
sages on subjects of vital national inn
portance to motion picture theater
audiences during the intermission.
The subject matter is prepared and
the speaking is directed from the COM
mittee on public informa ton head
quarters in this city at 10 jackson
place The Four-minute Men organiza-
tion is division of that committee,
: headed by William Mccormieek Blair.
as director.
In each state and in the District of
Columbia there is a state chairman.
In each city where the work is or
ganized there is local chairman. A
sufficient number of volunteer speakers
has been enrolled in each city and
town to adequately cover" the motion
picture theaters therein.
The privilege of speaking IN motion
picture theaters during the intermis-
sion is held by agreement with the
owners and managers. who grant this
permission as a matter of patriotic
service to the government. The govern
ment considers all moving picture
tneaters of the United States a part of
the Four-Minute Men organization.
When they cooperate with this one
asked or expected to allow other
speakers to use their theaters.
Z The attitude of the speakers toward
J their audiences is an interesting one.
Such speakers do not come before the
patrons of the movie" houses as in
fringers upon the pleasant rights of
amusement. but as In their own right.
representing the government Of the
United States. In this attitude the
speakers have been aided greatly by
the practically universal interest of the
motion picture industry. The patriotic
zeal of the theater managers has been
one of the features of Four-Minute
Men activities. so that President Wilson
! In one of his public letters particularly
!. commended these theater managers.
- President Wilson Commends.
&c President Wilson. in recent letter
TO the Four-Minute Men. said:
May not express my very real interest
in the vigorous and intelligent work
your organization is doing in connec-
formation? 1t is surely a matter
worthy of sincere appreciation that
body of thoughtful citizens, with the
hearty cooperation of the managers
of moving picture theaters, are en-
gagged in the presentation and discus
sion of the purposes and measures of
these critical days.
Men and nations are at their worst
or at their best in any great struggle.
The spoken word may light the fires
OF passion and unreason or it may in
gpire to highest action and noblest
sacrifice a nation of freemen. Upon
you four-rninute men. who are charged
with special duty and enjoy special
privilege in the command of your au-
dtences, will rest in a considerable de-
gree the task Of arousing and inform
Ing the great body of our people so
that when the record of these days is
complete we shall read, page for page.
with the deeds of Army and Navy the
story OF the unity. the spirit of sac
rihce, the unceasing 1abors, the high
courage of the men and women at
home who held unbroken the inner
lines. My best wishes and continuing
interest are with you in your work as
part of the Reserve Officer Corps in
nation thrice armed because through
your efforts 1t knows better the ius
tice Of its cause and the value of what
1t defends"
Must Assume Proper Attitude.
The general policy of the oreaniza-
tion asks Of each volunteer sneaker
that he assume his proper attitude to-
ward his audience. The attitude of the
speaker should be that he is privileged.
as one of the community, to present a
message of national importance upon
which the government deems 1t wise
that the public should be informed. Ry
their direct contact with all branches
OF the government the four-minute
men are in a position to obtain correct
information on war plans and policies
e which the public is entitled to know.
the committee on public Information
feels. The speakers volunteer to rem
der national service by conveying
this Information to the public
The speaker has a right to assume !"
says the committee. that the people in
his audience are eagerly interested in
the message which he brings them, and
are loyal Americans. ready to respond
TO the needs of the nation SO far as
they may be able.
Never Fake Attitude Of Intruder.
He will never take the attitude that
he is tntruding upon an evenings
pleasure at the theater and must beg
their Indulgence. He has a supreme
n he nj