Evening star., 1942-08-21
Roosevelt Tells
j. ). 0fficia|sto
Curb Tongues
Public QuorreIing
Hurts War Effort,
President Warns

Declaring some Government
officials are talking too much.
President Roosevelt today di-
rected the head of each depart
ment and agency of the Federal
Government to refrain from
public discussion of official policy
problems on matters about which
the administration has not
reached a decision.
Public statements OF conflicting
opinions among Federal ofncials
naturally contribute only to the
confusion of the public, which nat
urally does not know what to be-
lieve on an involved issue when 1t
gets different stories on successive
days from officials of equal stand
ing though not necessarily Of equal
understanding, Mr.. Roosevelt's let
ter said.
The White House action was re-
garded as an effective stopper to the
long series of contradictory state
ments made about rubber, petroleum
and other matters.
Discord Useful to Enemy.
"Our enemies" the President
cord provided for them by men who
ought to be making trouble for the
enemy and not for one another"
The text of the Presidents letter g
to the departments and agencies fol-
lows:
In dealing with the many COM 5
plex war problems which we face
today. it is unavoidable that there
be wide Government-opinions sim
cerely and honestly held. However,
too often in recent months, re-
sponsible officials of the Govern
ment have made public criticism of
other agencies of the Government;
and have made public statements
based either on inadequate informa-
ton VI on failure to appreciate all
the poets of a complex subject
which is only partially within their
jurisdiction.
This is inadvisable at any time.
But in times of war it Is particu-
larly contrary to public policy, which
naturally does not know what to
believe on an involved issue when
it gets different stories on success
sive days from officials of equal
standing, though not necessarily of
equal understanding.
Harmful to War Effort.
Such divergencies, especially when
coupled, as they often are, with exc
press or implied criticisms OF other
officials, are a direct and serious
handicap to the prosecution of the
war. officials divert to quarrels with
each other the time and energy they
ought to be devoting to fighting the
enemy. The people, confused by
these contradictory voices, are apt to
obtain the false impression that the
Government as a whole is uncertain
as to its objectives and general meth
cd and that it does not know its lob.
This feeling is OF course pounced
upon. exploited and intensified by
opponents of our war effort. Our
enemies use this raw material of dis
cord provided for them by men
who ought to be making trouble
for the enemy and not for one
another.
One of the duties prescribed for
the Office of War Information is the
coordination of war international
activities OF all Federal departments
and agencies, for the purpose of as
sur1ng an accurate and consistent
now OF war information to the pub
llc and the world at large and for
the added purpose of eliminating
conflict and confusion among the
departments and agencies of the
Government in the matter of their
public relations. Elmer Davis, di.
rector OF this Office tells me that 50
lar as written statements from de-
partments and agencies are con.
cerned. very satisfactory progress
toward this objective is being made.
But, he points out that the attain.
ment OF the objective is being grave
ly hampered by verbal statements
dealing with matters touching more
than one department or agency
mace by high officials in press con-
ferences and elseWhere-stateme
which do not contribute either to
the accuracy or the consistency Of
public information. =.
In recent report to me an this
situation. Mr. Davis makes a state
ment which should be emphasized.
me enemy is constantly at work
tSee POLICY. Page A-Ia7