Evening star., 1932-02-21
PARTY PROPAGANDA.
MACHINES WORKING.
Campaign Opens With Pub
Iicity Organizations Under
Way Here.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The Republican and Democratic
parties enter the 1892 campaign with
publicity organizations already wise in
the ways of spreading partisan political
gospel
Almost within sight of the White
House, these two bureaus have func-
toned for nearly three years, with the
occupant of that imposing structure the
subject, pro and con, of many of the
broadsides from the monographs of the
two parties
with the installation of Charles
Nicholson as chief of the Democratic
organization and James L. West as
head Of the Republican Bureau, old
methods of political propaganda dis
appeared. Both were seasoned political
writer's, having for years been corre-
spondentS here.
Methods Are Revised.
The tactics of re-enforcing political
faith with partisan information changed
almost overnight. Nicholson and Yves;
have aimed their shots at front pages
and often as not landed
The old method of frankly spreading
interparty news through the medium OF
the country press was abandoned. II
was expensive. With big name at Its
head, party propaganda found its way
on press association wires and into the
telegraph reports of the larger news
papers at little cost to the party.
These bureaus have become the sound
ing board for Senators and Representa-
tives who feel the urge to denounce OF
praise Here the chairmen of the vari-
Gus party committees see their political
thoughts whipped into such form that
newspapers find them more acceptable
than heretofore.
Probably as many as three-fourths
Of the statements issued from Michel
sons and Vests Offices have been
under the names Of Senators and Rep
resentatives They have welcomed it.
1t cost them nothing in messenger
service, and very often they have net
had to think up the statement. 1t be-
ing written at headquarters and sent
to them for approval.
How They Point With Pride.
When the Republicans decide to
point with pride they issue a state
ment which begins in this sort Of a
manner:
In view of the statements attrib-
uted to Senator So-and-so yesterday,
Senator WhOossiS today issued the fol-
lowing reply" Then comes the text.
This statement is distributed to all
the news bureaus in Washington. The
press associations scan it carefully and
write it for what it Is worth. The
Democratic newspapers play it down
or ignore it. and the Republican press
sends it in full.
The reverse happens when the DEM
ocrats decide to point with alarm.
Exact Accounts Lacking.
While substantial portion of the
party expenditures go for publicity, no
exact accounting Of that item has been
kept. Periodic reports have to be made
to Congress on the dollars going out
from the National Committee head
quarters.
Last year, an off year. the Republican
Committee spent $258,918 and the
Democrats $1,030,4 ,486. In 1880. q con-
gressional election year, the Republi-
cans spent $743,949, and the Demo-
cratic Committee S612,647.
In addition to making and meeting
charges Nicholson and West have also
functioned as offyear chiefs Of speak
ers' bureaus. They have not only pro-
vided many speakers for political ral-
lies, but in many cases have provided
the speeches.
They have made extensive use Of the
radio. The broadcasting companies
have followed. as far as possible. a
rigid schedule, allowing both parties
the same amount Of time. Nicholson
and West have provided speakers and
ofttimes speeches to fill this time.