Milford chronicle., 1940-09-06
Hysteria Perilous
MOrfOrd's Opinion
COntinusa from Pirus Pass,

ed. about all the FBI can do is to
keep under surveillance those per-
sons suspected of efforts to under
mine the government
Chauncey P. HOlcOmb, publisher
OF the New Castle County Gazette,
had suggested that reports of sus-
pected sabOteurs and the like be
made directly to the attOrney-gen-
erals Office This, he mentioned,
might entail extra help for the ONCE.
MIR. MOrford said he had no objec-
ton to the suggestion. but advised
that his efforts must all be within
the existing statutes
Henry T. Claus, president OF the
News-Journal Company, Whining
ton, also emphasizing the need Of
guarding against hysteria and emo
tion, spoke of letters from readers
eondemning publication Of Berlin
cOmmuniques as an example Of some
people who can see only one side
Of the wall"
Committee Selected
A committee of newspapermen
named by Governor McMullen to
cooperate with the state council,
when formed, and meet whenever q
deems necessary, COM
prises:
WilmingtOn-A. o. H. Grier, an
editor Of the News-JOurnal papers;
Joseph H. Martin, publisher Of the
Wilmington Sunday Star, and ].
German Walsh, manager Of Radio
Station WDEL.
New Castle COunty-Mr. Hol-
comb and Richard T. Ware, pub
Usher of the Newark Post
Kent COunty-Colonel James C.
Wickes, publisher of the State
News, Dover, who presided; James
F. Alice, Jr., publisher of the State
Sentinel, Dover, and Clee Vaughan,
editor Of the Dover Index.
Sussex COunty-Robert G. HOus-
ton. publisher Of the Sussex
COuntian, Georgetown; G. Mar
shall Townsend, Milford Chronicle,
and Wright Robinson, Seaford
Leader. m
Mayor ]. Wallace WoodfOrd, in
the group, stressed the
Of newspapers and radio
n moulding wholesome, constructive
public opinion, adding that upon
hem rests a tremendous respOn-
ibility, particularly in a time like
his"
Fruitful Meeting Seen
81 am sure that this initial meet
ng in Delaware in the national de-
ense scheme will bear fruit" Gov
rnor McMullen said, referring |
riefly to the conference Of August /
and 6 in Washington, which was
ttended by Chief Deputy Attorney
ieneral Clair ]. KillOraD.
I'VE should" he added, "consti-
ute ourselves as minute men to
rOtect those principles which have |
cen handed down to US"
Propaganda Attacked
Mr.. KiIlOran stressed that in the
lans the part of the newspapers
'Ould be to disseminate facts and
OF repeat the propaganda expert
noes Of the last World War which
erved to arouse public opinion that
as not sound, but a created public
piniOn." Fictitious reports should
e discounted, he said, and only facts
spOrted.
He commended the prompt action
the dupont Company, following
d explosion at Deepwater Point, in
suing a statement that no sabotage
as present He said the sort of pub
city which may give the wrong
lpression is not desirable.
Mr.. Houston commented with Mr..
orford's remarks concerning pre-
ature publicity which may destroy
e effectiveness of the investigat-
g agencies was one worthy Of the
Hest consideration by the news ,
lpermen.
Hysteria Exists, Martin Says
Already there exists a great deal
hysteria in Wilmington and
rOughout the state, Mr.. Martin !
i'd. It is being aroused. he ex- I
aimed, through a whispering cam
ign, pointing the finger of suspi- ]
On at individuals.
The Governor laid stress on the
of the Federal
ate Conference on Law Enforce !
ent Problems Of National Defense
appointing a committee ITO deal I
tn the continuing problem Of pub Z
education respecting national de- Q
nse in an advisory capacity in y
ch aspects Of the problem of I
blic education as may be helped T
conferences with representatives Z
the American Newspaper Publish o
3 Association. sectional newspaper \
sociations, news reel producers, 1
d other such agencies. 1T was in '
e with this suggestion that the n
vernon called the conference. Il
Governor McMullen read a letter p
I'm Huber R. Gallagher, secre- 4
y of the federal-state conference, Il
vising that bills have been intro p
ced in Congress ito broaden the V
leral sabotage law to cover offen- G
, against properties and utilities {
lnected with the production Of I
tional defense material"
others at the conference were G
putty Attorney General William J. +
)rey, Dover; Mr.. Walsh, Mr..
ughan, Miss Elizabeth Newkirk,
,retary to the Governor; Mr.
MIR. Alice, Colonel Il
ckes, Harvey Burgess, Harring- n
r--.-F. TrTtrra-... n Et~,sr~a,~r,.. / "A