Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-03-17
nArdinx Publicity.

HERE appears to be q widc difference
between the point OF view OF the candi-
date for high office, in the matter OF gov
ernmcntal publicity, and the point OF view
OF the same individual. once he Is elected
and has assumed his duties. This difference
has been forcibly impressed upon the coun-
tryJby the new Harding administration
Throughout his campaign Mr.. Harding
stood for the utmost publicity compatible
with public interest. Nor did lie emphasize
this one reservation. He sharply criticized
the Wilson administration for its secrctive-
ness and allowed the public to understand
that. if elected, his first reform would be in
the direction OF 'revealment,' not conceal
mcnt.
Mir. Harding's Secretary OF State. Mr..
Hughes. in the ~latteT's first interview with
press correspondents. seemed to echo his
chiefs publicity policy. He frankly an
nounccd that foreign affairs were public
affairs in this country and that he personal
~ would make public every move made by
the Department OF State, as long as he re-
manned at the head of that department..
But in forty-eight hours a new spirit
seemed To have envelopcd the Secretary OF
State. Calling the newspaper correspon-
dents together he lectured them upon the
necessity OF waiting until formal announce
ments should be issued by him or by his
assistants before any newspaper would he
warranted in publishing news regarding
State Department activities. The impress
sion he gave was that he welcomed public
ity. provided he could literally control it.
On the very same day the new Attorney
General took a similar position. He issued
a formal order forbidding any subordinate
to give out any news whatever except such
as Mr.. Dangher.y himself should authorize.
Construed literally. this order would pre-
vent any United States District Attorney
discussing for publication any case that Of
fetal might have tried or any United States
marshal announcing tho arrest of a Vol
stead law %violator until that official had first
communicated with the Department of Jus
tice.
Mr.. Bryan was bitterly criticized, az was
MIR. Lansing. when first one and then the
other issued orders to their subordinatos
barring them from discussing for puhlica-
lion any activity OF the State Department.
Hnt neither OF these men, as officials, took
so radical a stand as has Mr.. hughes. The.
present Secretary OF State not only orders
ms stan 10 withhold news, but lie prcsumcs
TO tell the newspapers that they are not at
liberty to print facts about the department
or its policies until he vouches for them as
facts.
Perhaps it is too soon to take a critical
view Of these two incidents. Both Mr..
hughes and MIR. Daugherty are new at their
JOBS. Although both are old hands in poll
Ties, they nave much to ear about the on
Grafton OF the Federal government and the
operation of their own departments. While
Hey are educating themselves. they nav be
hecniiarly sensitive to publicity that does
NOT proceed directly from them. But among
the things they eventually will learn is the
tact that the American newspapers reserve
the right TO print al The legitimate news
ABOUT public officials and public acts OF
"hlch they may become into possession. and
'i'ey VIII not he bound by any fiat which
Mr. iiaFdins's or any other administration
may seek 10 enforce.