The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-02-16
OUR PUBLIC RELATIONS

Members of the American Socie,
ty OF Newspaper Editors back at
their desks after a rousing meeting
in Washington, feel that the whole
nation will be benefited by their
give-and-take verbal smuggling
match" with the nations leaders.
Editors assembled at the govern
ment's Invitation to get the off-the-
record story OF the war-and the
newspapers part in it. Everybody
opened up, from the President on
down. Sometimes the sessions
turned into regular slugging match
es with giye-and-take on both sides.
But out Of the discussion came bet
ter understanding All writer's will
never agree on policy details, but
they are far better able 10 work
them out-nov that they have
reached a better working plan.
That understanding does not nee
sssarily mean approval Is shown by
resolutions adopted as the ASNE
closed its 21st annual session which
consisted largely Of frank discus
sions behind closed doors with
government civil and military lead
ers.
The resolutions called for a post
war world guarantee Of freedom
OF the press advocated govern
ment policy OF making public facts
10 which the people are entitled,
instead OF giving this information,
as in the past, 10 privileged writ
ers,' and opposed efforts TO put any
press association under the power
OF Congress 10 regulate commerce
To bring about closer contact be-
tween press and government, the
editors left IN the capital a lia!son
committee composed OF Washing
ton editors who hope TO convince all
people that such agencies as the
office Of War Information should
skate on the solid ice Of fact-not
the thin ice OF propaganda"
Buy More war Bonds-
THE VICTORY" CONTROVERSY
Director Elmer Davis OF the Of
ace of War Information. defends
The Owl picture magazine Vic
Tory, with denial that it is boom
ing President Roosevelt for q
fourth term. The subject became
controversial when Sen. Rufus Hol-
man, Jr., R.. Ore, made charges
in the Senate, and was Joined by
Rep. John Taber. r., n. y who
said shipment OF the magazine
abroad would take "402 tons OF
space that might better be filled
with bombs and bullets"
The magazine is not designed for |
domestic circulation, but for dis
tribution in foreign lands, and its !
purpose, according to Mr. Davis is |
10 depict the United States at
war. That Is impossible, OF course, |
without mentioning the President. |
II don't know whether the Presi-
dent ts going 10 seek fourth term
bvt I 40 know that he can't be
elected on votes cast In South
Africa" Mr.. Davis says.
The edition 10 which Sen. Hol
man objects was distributed TO
5000 American troops in Britain
and the remainder was shipped to
South Africa. Egypt and Australia.
Rep. Taber sees shipment OF the
magazine 70 Europe. asia and Az
RIGA as criminal when shipping
space is so short that our soldiers
cannot receive carton OF cigar
cites or box OF candy"
Such debate could never be set.
tied. The congressman is right in
wanting supplies to get through,
but Mr.. Davis is also sincere in his
desire 10 get the Official picture OF
the war into hands OF the fighting
forces. Whether Sen. Holman is
right depends largely upon the po-
litical viewpoint OF those passing
judgment. Chief value OF the argu-
ment is that so long as each party
is ready to spring NJ rne throat Of
the other, the public iii be kept
well informed