The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-08-28

AAAAAAAAAN VI AAAN
governmental functionaries' con-
versation that Elmer was critical
d.
In short, as director OF War In
formation, INFORMATION is what
he wants to have handed out-not
MIS-information. And what he
particularly objects to is misinfor-
nation Of an undesirable nature.
Elmer wasn't required TO disclose
the fact, but perhaps he was needed
TO cali attention to It, that depart.
mental bureaucratic and agency
heads utterances have conflicted
among themselves not only puz-
zlingly, but maybe damaginGly.
They've given the impression that
all is confusion in Washington
Conhdentially. it isn't altogether a
mistaken impression, either. but,
even so, il isn't the kind Of infor-
nation that Elmer Davis believes
in having broadcast. AS he says,
it's Just the sort Of propagands
that enemy agents are desperately
anxious to disseminate in our midst
and he isn't in favor Of permitting
our own folk TO help EN- at it
Enemies Are Alert
OF course, even under peace con-
iitions. differences Of opinion occa-
sionally develop between various
federal subdivisions, but in normal
times they're adjusted with no very
serious friction, and there are no
watchful propagandists alert to
make the most Of EN-, anyway.
Now, though. Offices and admin
lstrations have multiplied so rapid
ly and numerously and such an as
sortment Of conflicting types OF in
divduals have been pitchforked
into posts OF authority in charge
that they're a perfect hodgepodge
OF disagreement and overlappings,
TO an extent that makes II impossi-
rie for them TO tell themselves
apart along lot or tnelr respective
borderlines. Furthermore, their
rival arrangements consist largely
Of autocratic guys, conscripted
from private business and entirely
undisposed 10 make the smallest
allowances for others ideas that
clash with their own in the slight
est.
When one Of these boys has a
press conference he's far less likely
to hand out a constructive inter-
view relative TO his especial groups
requirements than 10 pan the head
Of some other group, accused Of in
terfering with him.
The necessity for Strengthening
out these complications hasn't been
overlooked by the White House
Judge Samuel Rosenman was
named TO hit on compromise be-
tween Price Administrator Leon
Henderson and the War Labor
Board concerning anti-infauon poll
icies. Bernard Baruch and an in
vestigating committee had to be
drafted to answer the seemingly
rather simple question: rs there a
rubber shortage? ?"
Such quizzers are trying TO solve
The muddle. but, In the meantime,
he disputing bureaucrats have
gone on quarreling, extremely vo-
cally.
Elmer Davis proposition Is that
news Of 1t isn't information"
Personally l don't see why not.
II all these outfits are pulling hair
between themselves. I'd think II
would be highly Informative to the
public 10 hear about il.
Still, I suppose It is Elmer's mis-
sion 70 give il certain amount OF
coherency
An Interpreter
Elmers theory evidently is that
mis- jobs to be, not so much an in
former, as an interpreter. His game
is 70 get the information las Il is
and give it out for what II MEANS.
That's legitimate function.
1t isn't a reporters function.
though; it's an editors
A reporters business Is 70 say.
"So-and-so has happened An edi-
tors business is to say, "So-and-so
is what follows"
Elmer has been radio news
commentator. That's an editorial
stunt. It's based on information.