The Washington times., 1927-06-07
The Work of Frederic ]. HasIxin
A National Educational Influence

THE growth of the great educa-
tional business conducted by
Frederic ]. Haskin is one Of the dis
tinctive features of this era Of news
paper development.
The director of the worlds great
est free information bureau made his
start as newsboy in little town in
Missouri He became q successful
country editor, and later established
himself as . newspaper correspond
ent with long and varied interna-
tional experience. About twenty
years ago he moved to Washington,
D. c., and opened an Office in one
room with one assistant.
The business which was started so
modestly expanded steadily an d
move after move was made to secure
adequate quarters for the ever-in-
creasing staff. Many makeshifts
were utilized. For . while the Office
shared building occupied by mo-
ton picture theater. At another
place the quarters were on the Sec
ond floor of a printing plant with q
nearby livery stable serving as
warehouse. Few of the hundreds of
Thousands of newspaper readers
throughout the Union who have
benefited by the service of this
unique institution have any reaiiza-
ton Of the vicissitudes and emergen-
cies of its extraordinary growth.
An Enormous Mail.
The business now occupies about
$4,000 square feet of space in mod
ern building erected for its special
use. Visitors to the plant are amazed
at the enormous mail handled here,
and the speed and skill dis
played by the employees are
commented upon by all who see
them at their work. On the day this
circular was written the staff handled
over 1900 transactions-meaning
that it served that many individuals
all over the United States either by
answering questions or forwarding
educational booklets. One has only
to consider that the bulk Of this ma
terial came from official sources to
understand what a great work the
bureau is doing in passing along the
findings of the Government to citi-
zens of every community in the
country.
First of all Frederic ]. Haskin is a
newspaper correspondent. Every day
in the year, including holidays and
Sundays, his daily letter is prepared
for the great list of newspapers
which have featured it for many
years. While these letters cover q
wide range of subjects, they deal
mostly with the constructive work of
the Federal Government. No other
writer, does SO, much to acquaint the
people with the many things their
Government is doing for them.
Useful Educational Work.
The free information service does
two things-it answers questions of
fact and distributes educational liter
ature. It is cooperative bureau
maintained by a large list of enter
prising American newspapers all of
which advertise it and subscribe to
its support. It is estimated that the
advertising given to the bureau by
its supporting newspapers is worth
million dollars q year. No other
educational business in existence
commands such an asset. and this
vast power is used principally in the
furtherance of patriotic education.
Insno city other than Washington
could such q service be developed.
Here Is the seat Of learning. In the
Library Of Congress, and the numer-
Gus departments of the Federal Cow
eminent are found the answers to
practically all questions of fact which
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