Evening star., 1944-02-08
Davis Reorganizes
owl Overseas Unit
After Reservations

A drastic reorganization of the
Office Of War Information's S
overseas branch in New York
was announced last night by Di-
rector Elmer Davis after he had
accepted the designations of
three officials whose continuance
at their posts had become a
sharp issue between him and his
principal aide, Robert E. Sher-
wood, playwright, an issue that
finally reached the White House.
Thus, it appears, the dispute which
threatened for q time to force the
resignation Of either Mr.. Davis or
Mr.. Sherwood has been ironed out.
In a New York press conference Mr..
Davis emphasized that Mr.. Sher-
wood would remain as head Of the
Owls overseas service, though the
playwright plans to leave for Lon
don soon to review the organizations
setup there. Afterward, he will re-
turn to Washington.
The Sherwood impasse was
solved, as reported in The Star yes
terday, by the resignation Of James
P. Warburg, deputy director for
policy; Joseph Barnes,
deputy director for Atlantic opera
tions, and Edd johnson, chief Of the
editorial board. Mr.. Davis, planning
an intensification Of Owl foreign
propaganda to bolster the coming
invasion of Western Europe, had
considered the policies of the three
men as "out of line" with his, and
consequently wished to reorganize
the foreign unit. Mr.. Sherwood had
declined to dismiss the three.
Named as new officials In the over
seas service were Edward w. Bar
rett, former associate editor of News
week, who will be executive director
of the unit under Mr.. Sherwood,
and Thurman L. Barnard, who will
serve as assistant executive director
under Mr.. Barrett. Mr.. Barnard
formerly was vice president Of N. w.
Aver g. Son, Philadelphia advertis-
ing agency.
At his press conference Mr.. Davis
made light Of the personal issue
between him and Mr.. Sherwood. say
ing that there has never been any
difference of opinion between us
as to the propaganda and informa-
ton policies which should be pur-
sued by OWL"
However, in view Of the fact that
the issue Of whether Mr.. Warburg,
Mr.. Barnes and Mr.. johnson should
stay in the Owl overseas Office had
become SO important that it was re-
ferred to the White House, political
observers here viewed the outcome
as a clear-cut victory for Mr.. Davis.
1t was reported that the President
last week directed Mr.. Davis and
Mr.. Sherwood to negotiate a settle
ment Of their dispute and this was
done in a series of conferences,
which eliminated Saturday night in
the decision to ask the three New
York officials for their designations.
Issues Statement.
In an of1cial statement Mr.. Davis
said:
The overseas branch Of the
Owl has very ably handled a
gigantic and continually growing
task throughout most of the war
In this work the New York Office
has played an outstanding part
Now, however, as the war in Europe
approaches its decisive stage, the
overseas branch undertakes heavier
responsibilities than it has ever had
to meet before Military COM
manders in Northern Europe, the
Mediterranean and the Far East
rely on us for an intensification of
psychological warfare against the
enemy and we shall have to assume
increasing obligations for informa-
ton in the liberated areas This
task will require the most effective
organization of our work"
In connection with the future OF
the London Office, Mr.. Davis said
he hoped that Wallace Carroll, who
recently resigned as chief of the
unit, would rejoin Owl. Mr.. Davis
said Mr.. Carroll, who repeatedly re-
signed in protest against the poll
cies of the overseas branch, had
never stated officially his reason for