New-York tribune., 1918-04-25
News Bureau
To Supplant
Creel Urged
Chicago Publisher Calls for
One to Supply Facts
to Press
German Newspaper
Issue Up To-day
Associated Press Officers
Reelected at Its Final
Session

soclatcd Press, in session at the Wal
dorf-Astoria since Monday, came to an
end yesterday with the reelection of
all its officers, and with "a P" affairs
disposed Of the American Newspaper
Publishers Association, also in con-
Ventlon at the hotel, settled down to
consideration of many problems.
Hopewell L.. Rogers, Of "Thc Chicago
Daily News" and president of the asso-
citation, enumerated these problems in
IN opening address, in which he bit
terly attacked the Bureau of Public
Information and its head, George Creel,
whose competency he denied. The only
way for publishers to defend them
ciency," he declared. was for the news
papers to establish a cooperative bu-
reau in Washington where the news
might be gathered and distributed.
Calls Creel "[ncompetent"
"Ihe newspapers are not properly
fulfilling their obligations to the peo-
ple," he said. "This is because of a
lack of editorial force, arising from
not having facilities for protecting
the public's interests in questions OF
legislation and in the administrative
departments of the government. AS
our news gathering organizations must
avoid expressions of opinion, believe
there is necessity for a newspaper
body in Washington with the ability
and judgment to gather information as
to the business methods of the govern
ment, as to the ability and efficiency
with which laws are carried out and,
through the editorial columns of the
newspapers, justly criticisc or COM
mend those responsible for the conduct
of our affairs
"Such a body might enable US more
the public the falsity of the depart
ment of the government on the one
hand dealing out misinformation and
on the other withholding news until
it has reached the people through the
bulletins of the enemy. 1t might en-
able us to rid ourselves of the ncom-
petent head of that department who
glories in our preparedness-an un-
preparedness which already has meant
death and suffering to millions of our
allies and has placed US tor more
than year in the humiliating position
of depending on them to carry on the
war for liberty and democracy"
Postal Problem Discussed
Mr.. Rogers, speaking of the news
print shortage, said there seemed to
be no solution of the problem, as far
as the newspaper producers them selves
were concerned. They have done every
thing possible with suggestions and
non-enforceable cooperative agree
ments to save paper, he declared
ri fol H.
newspapers face on July l, when the
new postal zcning law becomes effec-
tive, was the principal subject Of con-
sderation by the publishers and, in
the afternoon, a long discussion was
held relative to means whereby the
disaster, which The publishers are con-
vinced the law will inflict upon them,
may be averted
Don c. Seitz, of "The New York
World" chairman Of the committee
named to consider the matter, pre-
sented tentative report in which the
recomm endation was made that the as
pend operation of the law pending a
thorough inquiry into the cost of car
rying second class mail and q full
analysis of the probable results which
will follow the laws operation. Major
Edward b. Stahlman, publisher of "The
Nashville (Tenn.) Banner" presented
resolution urging Congress TO amend
the new act along the lines suggested in
the amendments presented by Senator
Mcclellan when the bill was before the
Senate last October. The McKellar
amendment was defeated in the House
Richard Hooker, of "The Springfield
(Mass.> Republican," dissented from
this plan on the ground that while
there is sentiment in Congress favor
able to postponement there is little
chance of having the bill amended. He
offered resolution indorsng the rec
ommendation contained in Mr.. Seitzs
report. Discussion of the resolution
mad not ended when the delegates ad-
Journcd and it will be resumed TODAY
Advertising Men Meet
The members of the Bureau of ADJ
vertlslng met at noon for their fourth
annual luncheon and heard several
speakers outline the war achievements
and duties of advertising men. Sir
John Foster Fraser, chairman OF the
War Lectures Committee of Great
Britain, appeared to "do a little ad.
vertislng for the British army and
navy inspiring rousing cheers with tho
M ormation that the latter, comprisin~
4oo,o00,000 tons at the beginning OF
the war, is row 6000O0,0O0 tons in
extent, or so per cent larger. mines
raiders and submarines notwjthstand.
ing. AVA
Samuel W. kcyburn. president Of
Lord d Taylor's, said that commercial
doubts and fears inspired BY the nm.
ccrtaintles Of war were being rapidi,
! cleared away. Confidence is replacina
confusion, he said, and sympathy re-.
placing suspicion.
The claims Of advertising as an ait
TO business and those Of business as an
aid to victory in the war were nd.
vanced by II. {. Hawk, representing the
{. W. Post interests. The successful
completion of the war, he declared
would result in American business OK.
ceiling in its proportions even tho
business of war
George w. Hopkins. general saJce
manager Of the Columbia Graphaphonc
Company, and Lafayette Young. ir
chairman of the committee IN charyc
OF the luncheon, were other speakers
To Act on Foreign Press Issue
To-day the assembled publishers will,
cndcavor TO decide upon some action
in regard TO the control Of the foreirr
language press in America. This mat
ter was forcibly brought to their at.
tention by President Rogers, who saif
the problem Of curbing pro German
periodicals was one Of the most press.
ing duties Of the time.
fortunately" he said in his ANNA
address, publications printed in the
language Of our enemies arc in man,
cases solving tn" problem for them