New-York tribune., 1918-05-01
p.rl;es to Statement Made
by Hopewell Rogers
Before Publishers
Not Disturbed by
Disloyalty Charges
c.vs He Would Welcome
Advice and Cooperation
From Newspapers

pooe,s. retiring .2resloent Oh inc amer
;ssn Newspaper Publishers Associa-
,iop at its convention here, has written
- rank K. Glass, new president of the
s.c.n;xation. demanding that the as
.s;st;on make a thorough investiga-
~. - the committee and all it's work
>'ings. c u c,
.,so saws that he sent telegram con-
tanning a similar request to Mr.. Rog-
.~s Immediately following the attack,
Init received no reply. He says in ad-
,;t;on that the retiring president never
:-f.rred the association OF the receipt
If such telegram.
Mr.. Rogers. in speaking of the Com
-;,+oo on Public Information, termed
4 "a department of the government, on
~. one hand dealing out misinforma-
So, ond on the other withholding news
r,,;l it has reached the public through
tho hu]Ietins of the enemy" He also
vossrred to Mr.. Creel as "the incompe-
,ont and disloyal head of the depart
ment who glories in our unprepared-
ness" ,
Mr Glass. who is in Washington. de-
rI;ued Yesterday to comment upon the
letter. but said that he would head a
Committee of the association which
Iii call on Mr., Creel to-day and dis
cuss the situation.
I;ncoIn 3. Palmer, general manager
Of the American Newspaper Publish
ars' Association, at present in New
York. said last night that he had not
read Mr.. Cree's letter and knew moth
ing Of the controversy.
Il is probable that the United States
Senate will also undertake an investl-
cation. of Mr.. Creel's organization.
Senator Watson, of Indiana, is ex-
pected to introduce resolution in the
{. chamber for an immediate examination
Of ali phases of the Committee on
Public information.
Creel Quotes Own Telegram
Mr. Creel's letter follows:
"My Dear Mr.. Glass:
aThe following telegram was sent by
me on the evening of April 25:
"Hopewel Rogers, American News
paper Publishers Assoc :ation,
Waldorf f-Astoria Hotel, New York
City:
"'Have just read report of your
speech criticising publicity policy Of
government. l assume your absolute
sincerity, but feel that no criticism
can be constructive when based only
upon hearsay and personal opinion.
In the interest of larger effectiveness
respectfully urge you to come to
Washington, eli ther with committee,
or your entire Membership, for full
and frank discussion of these mutual
problems. I pledge full information
as to every activity of the Committee
on Public Information, and will well
come advice, suggestion and coopera-
ton In view OF your criticism, given
publicly as the head of great or
ganization, l feel strongly that your
acceptance is compelled by fairness
as we'll as the national interests
ut does not appear that this tele-
gram was communicated either to the
directors of the association or the dele
gates, nor have / had any reply from
MI. Rogers himself. l am writing to
you as the newly elected president of
the American Newspaper Publishers
Association, for the matters involved
are of too great Importance to be dis
missed as q mere convention incident.
Z when Mr.. Rogers accuses me of dis
loyalty am not greatly disturbed, for
feel that the devotion of a lifetime
Will weigh against any single, reckless,
unsupported statement made in preju-
dice and partisanship. When Mr.. Rog-
efs attacks my competency, however,
the personal element disappears, for
not only does he assail the entire edu-
eational work that the Committee on
runlic Information is doing in the
united States, and in every other coun-
Wy IN the world, but he impugns the
motives and merits of thousands OF
: patrlotlc men and women. who have
gwen themselves whole-heartedly and
unselfishly to this branch of the ma
uonal service.
Three thousand historians-Sre al
Z Our call In the preparation Of pamphlet
{ matter; virtually every writer OF
prominence is giving time to the work
VI me committee; the division of ad.
seIslslng enlists the energies of every
great advertising expert in the United
S.ates; there are close to $4,000 speak
as "a the 'four-minute men; the wal
ouf supervision; men and women OF
~ nationalities go from coast to coast
sAe United statey are % banded Hte,sst togethe, e,
Saos the production Of our posters; the
hn;otion h;9ion picture industry has been mo-
sall1ed and is giving us ungrudginp
sspport, without thought of financia,
and in every capital in the
sao there are men and women serv.
NTH courage and intelligence.
can readily understand how the
sssns 1mans might insist that our effor,
-. worthless and that these thou,
~ were laboring vainly and ever
Hs.soysliy, but it is amazing, indeed
- ss one who calls himself an Ameri.
s;s,,l III snould level such a charge, espe-
t,s..2, when he never has taken The
Fss,saale ,aole TO call upon me and knows alb.
~saRiy nothing of the work Of the
aI MIm,ttee, its aims and its plans.
wee INSIST that the American News.
SaRes Publishers Association Is com.
.ssa ssrnx. Dy every dictate of patriotism te
Rsn ,sss Or dlsprove the charges that Mr.
2stssss made as its president. A.
a,sa u my telegram, ! shall be glac
ma ssessiye sae any committee, NO matte,
4 & apass;,,,ts ~ ,ts size. welcoming the fullest
500 Investigation, and so confident
~ SIso,, ! nat ] permit you and even urge
8lss. {. compose 1t Of men who have ths
Fs...at mat my work could be done more
IN nave long felt the need Of an sd.
l,rsrS committee made up of thos4
ssshs nrts representative Of the press o.
asr,s na!ed ,.:sd States, but I think you vii
|a{teras vain me that such q selection 1,
zmsr;so with many difficulties. Ths
S,sssan SSse,a.s.san Newspaper Publishers' As
MA is the one great body in thu
& kS. $fks 8! snd yet even this does not exnres,