The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-11-29
Free Press Move Grows

Washington, Nov. 29 = CUP = The American Society of Newspaper Editors, seeking removal of all po- litical, economic and military ob- stacles to the free exchange of world information during peace time, invited the United States and all other governments yesterday to join in reciprocal declarations enl- bracing the right of the people to read and hear news without hind rance.
 Press,( radio and other media of information were asked to join the campaign which the society said will not be relaxed until freedom of information becomes a living reality everywhere in the world"
 In a resolution adopted by its board of directors at close of two- day meeting here, the society de- clared its belief that most Amer jeans and their newspapers will sup port government policies and action toward removal of all political, legal and economic barriers to the media of information and that our govern ment should make this abundantly clear to other nations
 The directors acted on a reconl- mendation of special committee on freedom of information under Craftsmanship of Ralph McGill, edi- tor of the Atlanta Constitution.
 Hugh Baillie, president of the United Press, who recently returned from Europe where he obtained pledges of freedom of information from the heads of number of gov ernments, and Paul Miller, assistant general manager of the Associated Press and Washington Bureau Chief, assisted the committee in drafting the resolution.
 Appoint Committee
 The ASNE directors also author ized the Society's president, John S.. Knight of the Knight Newspapers, to appoint a committee ''to visit various world capitals to confer with appropriate government bodies, press associations and newspaper and radio executives (to) :. acquaint these individuals and agen- cies with the aims of the society and learn their views on postwar freedom of information"
 This travelling committee will re- port to the associations 1945 meet ing here next April 20, 21, and 22 if it can complete its work by that time.
 The resolutio noted with satis- faction" a recent statement by Ed ward R. Stettinius, Jr., newly -ap- pointed secretary of state, that the United States plans exploratory talks looking toward guarantees against barriers to interchange of information among all nations.
 Members of the committee, accom- panied by Baillie and Miller, called on Stettinius at the State Depart ment to discuss the resolution. The new secretary of sate expressed his sympathy with the movement for freedom of information during the half-hour visit.
 Resolution
 Tn It's deep conVlctlon that 1ree- dom of information throughout the world is vital to an enduring peace, the American Society of Newspaper Editors acclaims the statements of this principle which have been made by the President, by both Republican and Democratic parties and by the Congress of the United States" the resolution said.
 "All these signs and statements are encouraging :"
 Members of McGill's special com- mittee which drafted the resolution were Sevellon Brown, Providence, R. l., Journal; Ralph Coughlan, St. L0aEAg Poet-D Dispatch: E.. L. Wlnnatp, Boston Globe; Carl W. Alderman, dean of the Pulitzer School of Jour nalism; John SorrelIs. executive edi-