Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-18
Trials of an Information Bureau :.
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

be lost In the ONCE where it was re-
ceived, but the law Of averages pre-
cludes that happening three times In
succession to the same person.
Furthermore, since the sole purpose
OF an information bureau Is to serve
the reading public, 1t is . bit .unr
thinkable that the bureau would ignore
letter. It wouldn't last long as o
newspaper institution II It did.
Complaints that such things do hap
pen are, fortunately for ones faith in his
fellows, comparatively rare. More fire.
quent is the complaint from the reader
who does not realize how much time
1t takes for letters to go back and
forth, or how much research work
may be required to answer the ques-
tions asked. A little patience is q
wonderful lubricant to the machine
that must operate between washington
and all parts Of the United States.
Questions That Shouldn't Be Asked.
An information bureau is precisely
what its name proclaims 1t to be; It
gathers and distributes information Of
q factual character. Hence 1t should
not be called upon to answer wide
range of questions that nevertheless 1t
Is constantly receiving.
Advice is not information. Whether
1t Is advice as to personal relations, as
to medical or legal matters, as to poll
tics, or as to investments, it is not with
in the purview of an information serv-
ice. The bureau cannot tell an un-
happy wife what she should do when
she writes that she knows her husband
drinks too much and suspects him OF
even graver derelictions. 1t can not
tell lovelorn youth how he can awaken
a reciprocal affection in the heart OF the
fair one who persists in giving MIN the
air.
1t can tell an inquirer what the d.
vorce laws of any State are, but 1t cam
not advise him as to whether he has
grounds for divorce, or whether ne
should attempt a reconciliation.
1t can tell a reader what DIVIDENDS
a certain listed stock or bond pays, but
it cannot advise HON as to whether 1t
would be good safe investment. IN
VeSting money calls for the advice OF
sound and trusted banker.
Matters of opinion likewise are not
information. The bureau cannot an
swer a question such as whether pub
lie official is right or wrong In given
stand he has taken, or whether So-and-
So is a good Republican or Democrat.
Last, but not least, there are questions
that should not be asked because asking
them is not strictly ethical. First Of all
are the questions that pupils in school
are asked to answer as part OF their
school work. Such questions are asked
to test the intelligence and scholastic
progress of the pupil-not of the In
formation bureau.
Second are the questions that arise
through the innumerable contests that
are being carried on all the time in all
parts of the country. These contests are
for priZSs, more or less valuable, and 1t
is intended that the winners should win
through their own cleverneSs or in-
genuity. 1t defeats the purpose of the
contests If the answers are secured
through an information bureau.
And, a parting word-don't, please
don't write on both sides Of a sheet
Of paper!
And, as to that erring business, an in
formation bureau is not infallible. 1t ID
made UP Of people who also are human.