New-York tribune., 1918-04-27
They Suggest That Practi.
cal Newspaper Men Pass
on News of Departments
Creel's Bureau
Is "Incompetent''
Publishers Elect Officers
and Are Thanked by
Wilson and McAdoo

Governmental cooperation is to be
sought by the American Newspaper
Publishers Association in plan to
establish at Washington voluntary
censorship bureau of practical news
paper men to pass upon all publicity
matter issued by governmental depart
ments. The decision to appeal to the
Washington authorities was made yes
terday by the association just before it
adjourned the annual convention at the
Waldorf-Astoria.
Hopcwell l.. Rogers, the retiring
president. alluded in his opening ad-
dress to the Incompetence" of the exist
ing Committee on Public Information.
During the entire convention the qucs-
tion of governmental publicity had been
one Of the principal problems before
the delegates. Under the plan agreed
upon yesterday committee of trained
newspaper editors would be selected to
gather from the various departments
such news as would be of interest to
the public and of value in the prosecu-
tion of the war. They would then elm
mate unimportant material, and thereby
save the time and effort now expended
in sending out Copy" which now
reaches waste baskets.
Much Publicity Just Junk"
every governmental department and
bureau is flooding the mails with mat
ter entirely useless to any newspaper"
said one of the visiting publishers
Something happens which has little
news interest and the incident is re-
ported by the news services. Weeks
later every editor in the land receives
bulky manuscript relating to the incl
dent. We arc showered with so-called
news copy which is nothing but the
dullest of 'old stuff
Sometimes the mass of material re-
ceived contains good story-one
which should be printed in the interest
OF the country-but often it is over
looked in the deluge of junk. This is
what we want to prevent"
A committee, selected to confer with
the Washington authorities on this
matter. will be named by the president
OF the publishers organization within
Il few days.
New Officers Elected
Mr.. Rogers, president of the organi-
cation since 1916, retired from that
office yesterday, it being an unwritten
rule OF the organization that no presi-
dent Shall serve more than two years
Frank r. Glass, of "The Birmingham
lAla.) News" was elected to succeed
him. Mr.. Glass had been vice-president
of the organization. George A. nc
Aneny, of "The New York Times" was
elected vice-president, and john Stew
art Bryan, of "The Richmond va
News-Leader," and Edward P. Call Of
THE New York Journal of Commerce." ;"
we're reelected secretary and treasur-
er, respectively. T. R. Williams, of
"The Pittsburgh Press" was elected
a director to succeed Jason Rogers, of
"The New York Globe" who resigned
Directors reelected were: Hilton u.
Brown, of "The Indianapolis News";
D: D. Moore, of "The New Orleans
Times-Picayune"; Ebert H. Baker, of
"The Cleveland Plain Dealer; Harry
Chandler, of "The Los Angeles Tines
and J.: F. MacKay, of "The Toronto
Globe"
Herbert L. Bridgman, of "The Brook
lyn Standard Union," who has been a
director for the past two years follow
ing his retirement from the presidency
automatically retired. His place on the
board will be taken by Mr.. Rogers.
Wilson and McAdoo Send Thanks
kilograms from President Wilson
and w. G. McAdoo, Secretary of the
Treasury, were received by the as
sembled editors yesterday thanking
them for their cooperation in the in
terest of the Administration war pro-
gramme and for a telegram pledging
continued support which the associa-
tion sent to Washington on Thursday
May / not express to you," tele
graphed the President, "and through
you to the publishers of the daily news
papers of the United States, my deen
and warm appreciation Of the generous
message sent me under date Of yester-
day. 1t is stimulating and encouraging
10 receive such assurances, and l beg
that you will convey not only my hearty
greetings but my sincere hope that our
united efforts may bring to the world
the Justice which We all desire and for
which We are all ready to fight to the
utmost"
Mr.. McAdoo's telegram was as fol.
lows:
"Will you be good enough to express
to the members of the American News.
paper Publishers Association. now ir
session, my sincere and warm apprecia
ton of the great service they have rem
dered to their country by their con
sistent, unselfish and patient suppor,
OF the successive Liberty Loans, which
nave been offered by the Treasury De.
partment
These loans could not have succeed
ed without the support of the news
papers, and it gives me great pleasure
to make this acknowledgment. An en-.
iightened public opinion is the chic,
asset Of democracy. By keeping tht
people Of America Informed on pub
nc events and transmitting word O,
shc financial and other needs OF tn,
government, the American newspaper,
rave performed public and incalcula
pie service to the nation. | know tha,
the service will be continued and tha,
the newspapers will do dneir full shar.
IN assisting America to win this wa,
Tor democracy and justice"