The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1925-04-23
By the National Editorial Association
Especial to The Herald)
The Old Question of
The President and Press

Washington, April 14.-There is
a question going the rounds of offic-
ial Washington which will interest
every newspaper reader. Will the
president discontinue the semi-week-
ly conferences with newspaper cor
respondtns? To the world at large
this matter at first glance is of rela-
lively little Importance, yet a thor
ough examination of the facts in the
case show the far reaching import
ance of the subject.
1t required a fish story to bring to
a head discussion which has been go
ing on beneath the surface. The
president has made no definite an
nouncement as to his policy. Those
who know Mr.. Coolidge best say that
he would not resort to such a drastic
method. He knows just how import
ant the newspapers are in the form
alton of public opinion and he is
not a mar to take chances with ex-
periments, especially when some of
his predecessors experiences are
1reSn In MS mlnQ.
Briefly, the situation which is now
claiming unusual attention in Wash
ington deals with the Interpretation
of newspaper accounts of statements
made by "the White House spokes-
man" or as his anonymous individ-
ual is frequently referred to, "the
highest authority" Every intelligent
newspaper reader knows that those
synonyms refer to the president Of
the United States. Custom required
that the chief executive shall not be
quoted directly unless special per-
mission is given.
Nobody has been able to explain
satisfactorily just why so much mys-
terry surrounds these interviews with
'the highest authority" The printed
lists of the presidents engagements
on Tuesday and Thursday of each
week specifically refers to appoint
ments with washington correspond
ents.o Yet the stories emanatlng
from these interviews seldom, II
ever. refer to the fact that the state
ments were made by the president
in person. The inhibition against
direct quotation sometimes results In
misinterpretation. The prompt de-
malls which come from the White
House often ~irritate the president.
Now the rumor is revived that all
interviews will be stopped.
This week the president was asked
about stocking the Tidal Basin IN
Washington with fish and his COM
ment was taken to mean that he op-
posed fishing as a wasteful pastime.
To make interesting reading, II OF
the newspaper writer's remembered
that Secretary Hoover, Postmaster
New and Attorney General Sargent
were ardent fishermen and comment
ed upon the effect of their chlet's
opinions. The st~enographlc notes
taken by the presidents personal
st~enographer shows that what the
president really said was that he per-
sonally was not an angler and that
he had never had time in his early
days to fish. -.
This is merely one incident which
had an irritating effect upon the
chief executive. 1t is generally con-
coded that the president is too good
a statesman to dispense with this
utility-the press. 1t is
his strongest weapo and any action
that curtailed it's power would like
wise diminish his influence. He is
cognizant of these facts and frankly
admits it.
Through these twice-a-week inter
views with newspaper correspond