The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-05-26
URGES PUBLIC TOLD
WORK OF CONGRESS
BY PUBLICITY AGENT

WASHINGTON, May 26.-What con-
gress needs more than anything else,
Representative A. J. Griffin Of New
York recently informed his colleagues,
is a good publicity agent.
Despite the voluminous daily reports
on congressional events handled by the
several press associations and by spe-
cial correspondents of the larger news
paprs of the country, Representative
Griffin believes the American people
are not we'll informed as to the actual
work congress does.
Representative Fess of Ohio sug-
gests the feasibility of congress issu-
ing an abstract detailing the work it
does for general distribution. Repre-
sentative Griffin believes the idea a
mighty fine one"
Representative Connally asserts that
the Fess suggestion is not original and
points to the fact that William Jen-
nings Bryan some time ago advocated
the issuance by the government OF a.
nonpartiSan national publication.
First Experience
During the World war the United
States government had its first and
only experience with an official press
agent, ono George Creel, head of the
bureau of public information. The bu-
reau issued daily publication giving
condensed reports of the activities of
congress and of the various executive
departments. And Creel was the tar
get of constant abuse and criticism
Following the armistice congress lost
no time in abolishing the bureau of
public information. 1t is a fact, how
ever, that few days ago when Rep,
resentative Griffin brought up before
the house the question of better pub
licity for congress, Representative
Fess made the statement that he be
lieved the Creel bureau did com
mendable piece of work
Representative Griffin, in discussing
the activities of congress, mentioned
the fact that the tourist in Washington
| who goes to the galltry of either the
senate or the house generally see:
only few legislators in their seat:
| and none of them showing any particu
| lar interest in the proceedings. Tht
! tourist, as a rule. goes away with tht
impression that only a mere handful
of members of congress carry on it
business and that they are consider
ably bored with what they are doing
| Real work Unknown
The average citizen, Representative
Griffin points out, does not know tha
the real work of congress is accom-
plished in its various committees, an
!! he thinks it very important for tn
! American people to possess tha
knowledge. Hence his statement tha
congress needs a good publicit
agent" The press, the New York cor
Igressman states, makes no effort t
\ inform it's readers of the way cor
gress carries on its business, merel
confning its reports to the actua
news events.
The legislation is actually done i
committee" says Griffin, "and if it
done we'll in committee there is n
occasion for the great bulk of tn
members of congress to sit and liste
to debate, because each have thei
set obligations and official duties
perform He adds that in his opi1
ion the press does not devote enoug
attention to the work of the commi
tees.
81 venture to say" Griffin said, "ths
if you were to take a poll of our cit
zenship tomorrow they would say ths
representative government in th
: United States is failure. Why? B.
cause the work of congress is misreI
resented or ignored, and that account
largely, in my opinion. for the growt
of the Bolshevistic spirit. 1t is up I
, all of us to make good, to do what "
! can to get rid of the notion that col
gress idles and does not work, or thu
it does not fairly represent the CO..
stituencies from which its member
are elected"