Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-26

PropagandiSts for causes good or bad
get no sympathy from the press in con-
nection with President Hoover's atti-
tude toward callers and letter-writers
who attempt to use the White House as
publicity vehicle. Discussion centers
about the Presidents refusal to receive
members of the National Association
Opposed to Blue Laws.
The practice of sponsors OF fads
and fancies running to the White House
to lay them before the Chief Executive
and then coming out with the air OF
official cogniZance surrounding them,
whether or not they had received ex-
ecutive approval" in the opinion OF the
Detroit Free Press, was a nuisance, an
annoyance to the President and a de-
basement of what he represents.
law protects the flag from dissertation.
A law to protect the presidency from
similar abuse will not be necessary If
Mr.. Hoover adheres to his position and
his example is followed by his sue
cessors. The Presidents time IS the
country's, and is not lightly to be
wasted on trivialities. The President.
for the time being. Is as much symoo!
Of the Nation as the flag. which should
be above the reach OF those who nave
only personal motives to serve
"One has to doubt" says the Man
chester Union, that the rule will great
" cramp the style of many addlcts OF
a fayorite indoor sport, who have found
that by addressing themselves to some
dignitary they can secure degree OF
n,iblicitv otherwise denied them. There
is still nothing to prevent them from
circulating copies of their productions
as letters sent to President Hoover, or
King George, or Museum. or hefn MAJ
Pasha. in bland indifference to the fate
of the documents at the hands OF any
of these distinguished gentlemen. TO
some minds great eclat attached to the
idea of debate conducted with those
occupying seats of the mighty, even II
the debates are wholly one-sided ana
carried on without response by the sup
posed party of the second part
eff an officer of an organization has
any occasion to view with alarm. &C
cording to the Terre Haute Star, ne
might better devote his energies to In
terceding with members Of Congress.
This incident illustrates the type OF
petty issues which too often are per-
mitted to consume the valuable time
which the President requires to STUDY
more pressing national problems" the
port Huron Herald gives the
further information that 1.-The President
of the United States does not need TO
depend for his information and instruc-
ton upon the prejudiced appeals OF the
proponents Of any particular cause, ana
while the President is additionally
somewhat approachable Official" con-
tinues that paper. I'VE are not paying
him to spend his time listening to the
appeals of every sort OF citizen VINO
wants his influence as the champion OF
a cause
MANY have represented that they
wished only to exchange civilities with
him" declares the Buffalo Evening
News, land then, admitted to the office,
have read long addresses which later
they have given to the press. No more.
The White House requires that callers
shall confide in detail their business to
one of the Presidents secretaries. and
Mr.. Hoover then will decide whether the
matter is of sufficient interest to war
rant his giving them an interview. The
rule is eminently sensible. It Is one
that will commend itself to all persons
except the paid propagandists."
such is the enormous weight OF the
duties and responsibilities of the Presi-
dent that he should be spared annoy
ance at the hands of little, self-seeking.
two-by-four ak grinders" contends the
Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. The Elk
hart Truth, speaking Of the practice OF
giving out interviews, states: Often
our Presidents have been greatly EN-
barrassed by these callers. for the i'm
preston has gone out that they were
giving attention to the propaganda
when in fact they only shook the hands
of the callers. 1t has been a common
practice, especially so during the Cool
idee administration, for visiting delega-
lions to ask the President to pose with
them for a photograph. Most Presi-
dents like to be accommodating. and
often pose with people for whom they
have little sympathy. They
shouldn't expect to use the White
House, which belongs to all the people,
as an instrument for spreading their
propaganda"
ITO perrH the great prestige and In
fuence Of tbs presidential ONCE to be
used, even b. inference. Tor the promo