Evening star., 1933-12-07
Treasury Heads Censorship
Causes Furry in the Press

A furry which was caused by o rule
Of the Treasury Department, creating a
central censorship Of the news from
that branch Of the Government. has
led to modification Of the rule. News
papers generally resented the curb and
emphatically reminded Acting Secre-
tary Morgenthau Of the traditional
American policy Of freedom Of the
press.
"The Morgenthau muzzle on Treasury
Department subordinates," according to
the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, has
been released to the extent that they
will be permitted to give newspaper
correspondents facts, although still for
hidden to discuss policies or undertake
interpretations" The Bulletin adds
istration is that wise men change their
minds" The Cleveland News states
that while the censorship has been
partially lifted, "it remains in substance
and the spirit Of repression IS there"
The Morgantown Dominion-New calls
the modification "a sensible one," but
voices doubt that the Secretary can
carry through successfully his plan to
supervise all news from the depart
ment." That paper Is convinced that
"the public does not look with favor
on gag rules Of any sort"
"If the Acting Secretary was driving
of some Of the department orators, who
have been sounding of with all sorts
of vagrant and conflicting opinion"
says the Akron Beacon Journal, sit was
his right to insist upon setting up a
central clearing house for policy. This
might have been done privately, with
no harm to public interest" Assuming
that the Presidents attitude Is the de-
termining factor, the Roanoke Times
points out that he 'has shown that he
Is keenly aware Of the value Of q
will get their news through the usual
channels" The Rutland Herald charges
TACK of knowledge as to what news Is"
and Of ''the rights Of newspapers and
their readers to news of the depart
ment."
'The situation" AYERS the Fort Worth
Star Telegram, appears to be the sim
pie one Of refusing to permit personal
opinions Of various Treasury attaches
to be treated as news Those
who have no authority for expressing
the alleged Treasury stand on flnan-
cial matters viii be informed that the
prerogative no longer exists. It isn't
done in three -employe retail store.
Why should it be permitted unre-
strained privilege In the most important
Of cabinet portfolios? There is nothing
wrong with the regulation"
"This Is the first time In many
years." declares the Santa Monica
Evening Outlook, "that, except in war
time, an official Of the United States
Government definitely attempted to es-
tabliSh censorship. It is unfortunate
for Mr.. Morgenthau that he has taken
this course. and 1t will be unfortunate
for President Roosevelt II 1t is con-
tinued as permanent policy. Any at
legitimate news In regard to Govern
ment activities creates suspicious on
the part Of the public which may be
unfounded, but are none the less Ger
tain to arise"
"n," the Indianapolis News observes,
"as IN Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain
educate the people to . prescribed form
freedom Of public expression, the
United States Governments should seek
to use It's power Of repression, It could
60 far. Through the code device. It
could assume control Of the production
Of all forms Of printed expression, In
cludtng magazines, boolks, pamphlets.
the official reports Of an Kinds Of or
ganizations. II It could establish that
authority It would not hesitate to use
its control Of the mail and radio to
complete the process. Educational lib
erty Is involved, for in one way or
another the Federal Government SUP
ports land grant and other colleges.
end t4zQu94 II NK1Q6~ GUnElWGnt1