Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-07
Washington. Aug. :

LIVERY Federal department has its press
- agent and some Of them are versa
tile enough to justify the lump sum ap.
propria tions from which they are paid,
They are all boosters for the boss" and
the army man who gets ahead of the
navy man today is likely to find him.
self "A piker tomorrow when it comes to
the story Of departmental achievement.
The chief of all these Government
boosters is George Cree, the million
dollar publicity artist who occasionally
runs afoul Of Congress, but who turns the
fashlight or the Administration and its
activities just the same. Creel keeps the
papers filled with material, never for
getting a few kind words for the Presi-
dent and his War Cabinet, and including
them with patriotic regularity in the
news features" Of the moving picture
shows. 1t is Creel who throws the waving
flag and the Presidents portrait on the
screen to evoke the enthusiasm of the
audience, and it is he who exhibits Secre-
tary Daniels in the act of addressing his
nifty iackies. or Secretary Baker alighting
from his automobile and rushing bravely
to the inspection Of an army tank.
But there is one press agent stunt that
even Creel has not yet comprehended 1t
is not the mastery smile of Schwab the
Shipbuilder--now acknowledged to be
worth millions-but very close to it. Creel
did not send out advance copies of the Hur-
ley speech to the Latin.American diplomats
at Hog Island July 26, but members Of
Congress whp received them were inclined
at first, to think so.
The speech contained some Of Mr.. Hur-
ley's brightest thoughts. He spoke of
President Wilson's world influence and
then struck out on his own account with
the suggestion that America stands
squarely in the path of world corquerors."
He pointed to our great Delaware River
as assurance of vic .ory to
our allies and ourselves. And then the
press agent stepped init is not clear
whether the typewriter was recommended
by the South American diplomats or by
Select Councilman Harry J. Trainer or !
Chevalier c. c. A. Baldi, but with singular !
fidelity to the proprictes the speech of |
Mr. Hurley was "assimilated' from this |
point.
our duty now" Mr. Hurley was made
10 say, IL 10 pulLO UlluSc VI SHIPS ~ |
our fighting front in Franco" And the
tl pes, still remembering that Mr.. Hurley's
visitors might not clearly grasp our bluff
English. put 1t into his
mouth to say Of our ideals in war, they
will never be erased even in the keen com
petition of peace. Those who would OK
plot q neiglboring nation fol selfish
purpose will be halted in peace. even as
the Germans twico have been halted at the
Marmo" Thus, Mr.. Hurley's finest periods
n rafting good speech were adjusted to
the amenities.
That fleet" he said proudly, will serve
he Americas And as the accommodat-
ne typewriter ratified on he was
made to conclude. and so long as the
American flag floats at the masthead of
single ship that cause shall never be for.
.aken."
IN the opinion OF members OF Congress
\ no read the advance copies this Franco
iarno.cauSo speech OF the president of our
shipping board must have made hit with
lis Latin. American guests If delivered as
written.