Evening star., 1934-03-04
Continued From Third Page.)
sential. So he closed the door ant
Cancelled the press conference, nevel
to resume it.

Tumulty Valuable.
He was most fortunate in having
Joseph P. Tumulty as his secretary.
Mr.. Tumulty was an invaluable con-
tact between him and the press. He
discharged his duties with exceptional
skill.
President Harding, because he had
been an editor, was expected to have
no difficulty in handling" the press.
But he learned, as have all Presi-
dents, that newspaper men cannot be
handled" However. they were more
inclined to give him the "breaks"
than any other President, with the
possible exception of the two Roose-
velts, not because he came from their
ranks, but because of his lovable,
human qualities.
Those qualities, however, did not
save him from difficulties. Until his
administration, questions had been
asked the President verbally. But one
day he crossed wires with the Secre-
tary of State over a question incident
to the Washington Arms Conference,
which was then in session. In con-
sequence he was compelled to an
nounce that thereafter all questions
must be submitted In writing This
permitted him to study the subjects
in advance. He also reserved the
right to answer or ignore inquiries
as he might choose, and the press
was required to make no mention of
those he passed over.
The number of correspondents at
tending the conference was increasing
rapidly at that time. There were
some whom Mr.. Harding did not know
even by sight. He could not dis
tinguish friend or foe. Nevertheless,
he was always genial.
Editors and publishers often come
to washington to get the feel" Of
things in the National Capital. They
always want to see the President.
Sometimes correspondents make an
appointment for them. AT others they
escort their chief to the executive Of
fees to sit in at the press conference
and. when it is over, introduce him
to the President.
Cordial to Writers.
Not once but many times writer's
not personally acquainted with Presi-
dent Harding would make the presen-
tation with some apprehension. But
he never once gave an intimation he
was not on the closest terms with the
correspondents. Quite the contrary,
he would put his arm around the
writer's shoulder and tell the editor:
You have fine correspondent in
this fellow. He is one Of the best
here"
The press loved him for it,
AS Mr.. Harding required written
questions. so Mr.. Coolidge insisted
that he should be quoted only when
he gave explicit permission. This
made for immediate complications
The correspondents, particularly those
representing press associations and
Democratic newspapers, could not or
would not use as their own what he
said for background. How to take ad-
vantage of the information was a
conundrum temporarily. But then the
presidential spokesman" was quickly
created.
Many correspondents regard the
Coolidge administration as presenting
the high light of presidential press
relations prior to the advent Of
Franklin D. Roosevelt. Such asser-
tions, however, show how q few years
can dull memories. For time and
again they protested against the
plcayune stuff" Mr.. Coolidge gave
out and complained that he was
using his conference to circulate ad-
ministration propaganda. Some threat
ened to boycott his conferences. A
few did remain away for a time, but
the majority attended. The SPOT
news and background were too valua-
BILE to miss.
Then, too, the Coolidge conferences
were something Of an entertainment.
Mr.. Coolidge always was the equal of
his press conferees.
Washington Question.
I remember, for instance, a oues-
ton critical Of George Washington,
asked incident to q book which had
just been published. After reading
aloud the written question, as was
his custom, he turned slowly away
from the correspondents grouped be-
fore his desk. peered out the window
overlooking the south grounds and
then. turning back to the group, said
in his inimicable twang:
In reply to that question, gentle
men. I have just noted that the Wash
ington Monument Is still there"
Mr.. Hoover hit upon the idea of
dividing news into three categories.
He would give out written statements
for quotation; they would be so indi-
Gated. He would talk extemporane-
ously for news that could be attrib-
uted to official sources. Then also
he would talk on subjects that could
not be printed at all, but which would
give the writer's a good understand
ing what was going on.
The system did not work out, be-
cause Of infractions. In consequence,
especially in the latter part of his
term. about all the news he issued
was in the form of written statements
for direct quotation.
Nevertheless, Mr.. Hoover established
an all-time record for quantity pro-
duction Of presidential news. OF
course, he gave out only what news
he thought desirable to issue, rather
than what the writers wanted. Like
wise, he withheld information that he
was not prepared to make public or
regarded as inimical to the welfare
Of the country. His problem was
comparable to that Of Mr.. Wilson.
Grave national emergency in each
instance was the cause Of the re-
sulting press irritations.
Roosevelt and Hoover.
The difference in the men whom
we elect to the presidency is exem-
plified by Hr. Hoover and Mr. Roose-
welt. Mr. Hoover always had smile
for the press, but he often was re-
strained. Mr. Roosevelt will wise
crack any day. But the prime diff
time was selected, it was explained,
because most Of the personnel has
the afternoon OF and part Of the