New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-13
c. P. Beers, Editor in Chief,
Bridgeport Conn., Post:

Bridgeport Comm Post:
The main objection to publicity matter
sent out from Washington is that it con-
tans no real information. Apparently it. is
the work Of literary rather than practical
newspaper men. We refer 90 per cent of it
to the Waste Paper Department and spend
many sleepless nights trying to ferret out
some real news in the remaining per cent.
"In handling Liberty Loan, Red Cross and
other drives have assigned our own men.
and the results have been very gratifying
If we had depended upon the governments
publicity matter | am afraid the local re-
suits would have been different.
I'VE are doing everything in our power to
help win the war but believe that the vast
amount of money spent for government
publicity copy could be used to better ad-
vantage in the purchase Of munitions.
"In our estimation there is nothing like
live news from the battlefront to stimulate
the purchase of war bonds'
Harlan S. Cummings, Managing Editor,
Lynn (Mass.) Item:
"What they need in Washington is clear
ing house of publicity. We can seldom use
any of the articles sent out by different de-
partments in full. Any trained newspaper
man. not affected by environment, would
know that. Not one of the articles sent to
US but what could be pruncd to advantage.
There is value in many of them, but, as
some one said Of book, you have got to
read SO much to get so little.'',
c. r. Chadbourne, Editor,
Augusta (Me.) journal:
''In the various departments of our gov
eminent we to-day find a multiplicity of
bureaus, and every bureau seems to have its
publicity expert, whose duty it is to boom
that particular bureau and one or more Off
Gals connected herewith. From some of
these departments of this amazing gover,-
ment OF ours we have received from +hrec
to five frank letters in single mail. Few
OF them are of real Importance to us or of
news value Whatever of news there is has
been previously handled b. special CORE
spondents or the news association. The
publicity material is advertising of men or
measures, pure and simple
The effect, it seems to me, of this .pnb
llclty matter has been to create disrespe.t
IN the mind OF the average newspaper editor
Tor anything and everything in the line of
private offerings in the guise of news The
average editor prefers to go after, ut his
own expense, anything that he wants for his
newspaper, and he dumps the whole mass. as
tentlon, IT 1t comes in any other manner
Il am perhaps somewhat cranky on this
line, but have had years of time that ought
to have been devoted to constructive work
wasted IN the perusal and consideration of
the useless stuff offered by some one who
was after something for nothing"
George D. Lindsay, Editor,
Marion CInd.) Chronicle:
1T seems to us that it would be very adj
vantageous to the newspapers and effect a
very great saving for the government if all
tins dope were carefully sifted and sent ont
through competent press bureau. Most of
lt Is OF no value to us, much of it is not per-
tlnent to our local situation and a srsat
deal of it is sheer rot.
We are in for anything that will helm
WIN the war, and have given thousands Of
dollars worth of space gratis to patrio.;c
publicity. We will continue in our on
deavors to do bit, but it would be a
great relief If some agency we're constituted
ny inc government to protect us against the
mood OF copy that is thrust upon ns ;rd;.