The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-10-31
Playing With Fire

When the New York Times celebrated its eightieth
birthday a short time back, President Hoover sent
very sane letter of congratuation, containing the
following: Democracy can not function except when
accompanied by a free and constructive press"
There seems to be much evidence, however. that
Hoover did not take this splendid sentiment too much
to heart. In fearless article in the New York
Nation, Paul Y Anderson, justly distinguished Wash
mgton correspondent of the St. Louis Post Dispatch
tells lis that THE relations of Herbert Hoover with
the neWSpapermen whose work brings them in irnme-
oate contact with the presidential office have reached
stage of unpleasantness without parallel during the
present century"
Some hundred Washington correspondents have
signed protest to the National Press Club asking it
to appoint committee to investigate the alleged mis-
representation and suppression of news by Hoover
This protest asserts that
Mr. Hoover himself frequently has so refused tn
answer questions put by newspaper men, and has can
celed SO many of his seni-Weekiy meetings with the
press, that most Of the Washington correspondents
have, in despair, almost abandoned the White House
as source for news"
The protest goes on to allege downright falsi1ca-
ton in regard to the receipt of Governor Roosevets
letter on the power issue evasion and isrepresenta
ton by the chairman of the federal farm board:
silence equvocation, and Justification" by the Ship
ping board; and like conduct by "other government
departments for which Hoover has responsibility.
1t has been charged, and never effectively denied
or disproved that Robert Allen efficient correspon
dent Of the Christian Science Monitor was dismissed
because Hoovers spy system alleged that Allen had
helped to write the Washington Merry Round :"
His paper previously had just increased Aliens salary
as testimonial to his excellent work.
An editor of another important daily admitted that
he let out Washington reporter because the White
House had criticized him. For further particulars
one may consult Anderson's informing and specific
article.
He points out that Hoover has no real grounds for
his crouch. The President is treated by the news
paper men in Washington with difference accorded
to no other official His virtues are magnif1ed enor-
mousy and his mistakes, in the main are mininized
or ignored No fat could ask for softer
feather bed. Yet every rose petal has been thorn
in the delicate skin of Herbert Hoover"
We may leave it to the newspaper men in Washing
ton to fight it out with Hoover. There are enough
able men on independent journals to fight their own
battle in competent fashion But there are several
obvious deductions which can be made without par
tisanship.
In the first place, Hoover is ungrateful Of all
public figures in the present century, he is most
conspicuously the product of newspaper publicity.
Without it, he would probably be continuing his min
ing promotion or negotiating in Palo Alto
In the second place. he is indscreet in his present
conduct, for he not buldoze the whole American
press. If he can not stand the humming of few
sweet-bees he would better not stir up the hornets
There is little campaign coming on in 1882. News
paper good will in that contest will not be matter of
indifference to the Great Engineer.
In the third place. and most important Hoover's
conduct, his communication to The Times
admitted, is a serious blow to free institutions.
Thomas Jefferson said that if he had to choose
between government and no newspapers, and good
independent press with government, he would
prefer the latter