New-York tribune., 1918-06-14
Creel Repudiates
"Socialistic" Views
Of 7 Years Ago
Has Changed His Mind,
He Tells House Sub
Committee

WASHINGTON, June 13-Editorial
articles written by him at Donver seven
years ago which members of Congress
have attacked as socialistic and mimi
cal to American institutions were re-
pudiated to-day by George Creel, chair
man of the Committee on Public In
formation, during the closing hours of
two-day examination before a House
Appropriations subcommittee.
When questioned about these arti-
cles Mr.. Crcel explained that they were
written in the heat OF campaign con-
Quoted by the newspaper on which he
was employed and that they did not
now represent his views.
Members Of the subcommittee, one
Creel's bitterest critics, indicated af-
terward that they were satisfied with
the explanation. They are considering
an estimate of s2,098,O00 for the ex-
penses of the Committee on Public In
formation during the coming year. No
vote has been taken, but it is expected
that most of the items in the budget
will be approved.
Promises Investigation
Mr.. Creel was asked whether it was
true that representative of his COM
mittee in Mexico City had abused his
position in connection with the recent
address Of President Wilson to Mexi-
can editors and thereby made it pos
sible for one newspaper in the United
States to publish the address in ad-
vance of the time set for it's release.
He said he would investigate, and if
the charge proved to be true the rep
resentative in Mexico City would be
dismissed.
Explaining the largest item of COM
mittee expense, $500,000, for civic and
educational publicity, Mr.. Creel said
that 25,00o,000 pamphlets in seven Ian
guages already have been distributed
and that a teachers service bulletin is
in schools.'
Most of the 100000 asked FOR work
among foreign born persons in the
country will be used in patriotic edu-
cational work, Mr.. Creel said. Explain
ing the request for 100000 for NOV
ing pictures, Mr.. Creel said the COM
! mittee, in cooperation with France,
England and italy, is putting out two
reels weekly of Allied war pictures and
weekly film known as the "Official
War Review" devoted to picturing
Americas fighting forces. He said that
charges made for use of these films
WoulO develop pIoHt.
Official Bulletins Circulation
Discussing the "official bulletin" for
which s250,O0O is asked, Mr.. Creel said
that the bulletins circulation now is
10000 and that despite it's "prohibitive
price" Of $5 a year $4,000 has been
received from subscriptions.
Explaining the $4,000 asked for ad-
ministration work in connection with
la Il
tribute to the "four-minute men" who
make patriotic speeches throughout the
country, saying they formed "the
quickest and most effective machinery
| of appeal" at the governments dis
posal. There are $4,000 Of these VOL
unteer speakers in $500 communities,
he said.
The $50, 900 asked for the Speaking
Bureau, Mr.. Creel explained, is used
for expenses such as the tours of the
French "Blue Devils" the fifty men
from General Pershing's forces and
similar tours. None of the 5000 reg
ular speakers of the bureau, he said,
Proof of the effectiveness of the
news department of the committee, for
which $4,000 is asked, is shown, Mr..
Creel said, by the fact Chat 100 per
cent of news releases are sent out on
the telegraph wires, while country
weekly newspapers use an average of
10000 columns of matter"
One hundred of the best known
writers of the country contributed
syndicate articles, Mr.. Creel said. in
explaining a request for $26'ooo for
that service. He added that ITO i'm
portant daily newspapers have agreed
/ to cooperate in publication of daily
front page patriotic display article.
Discussing the item Of 10000 asked
for advertising, the COMMITTEES. chair
man said in the last four months pub
fishers have contributed space worth
sl,222,000, and billboard and similar
interests $75o,0O0, while seven ma,
tional campaigns have been conducted
with the assistance of advertising clubs
and advertising men.