Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-06-18
Writer Says owl Fund
Reduction Unjustified
Office Called Useful Agency, Civ.
Ing Service Above Rating
in Dollars
BY David Laurence

lDS OSTNICG fADOVS Ndunx
in Dollars
BY Dapid Laurence
While the power of the purse" Is the
most important check the Constitution
has provided Congress as against bu-
reaucratic waste and arbitrary admins
tration, neither the House nor the
Senate is justified in using cuts in APP
preparation bills as means of impairing
functions of useful Government agencies
and destroying activities which the Ma
ton in the main approves.
The Once Of War Information Is 4
useful agency. 1t performs 4 function
in time of war which cannot be meas
ured In dollars. Just because airplanes
are more spectacular, the country fur
nishes billions for weapons Of that kind
and rightly 50, and does not ask the
cost. But sometimes psychological war
fare can save lives by weakening the
will Of the enemy to resist. Sometimes,
also, it can prevent inter Allied friction
in delicate situations and thus save the
expense of the complications that might
ensue
The Owl has been criticized in Con-
gress and now some of that criticism ID
taking form in the curtailment Of owl
appropriations. The owl had been
operating on a $50, 0OO, 900 budget which
was cut by the Bureau of the Budget
to so 900. This was approved by
President Truman. Then the House
committee cut it down to S35, 900 900.
When the matter came up for debate,
the members largely Republican
voted to cut 1t down to $4,000. 900.
which would mean a serious IMPAIR
ment of the scope and work of the OWL.
1t would mean that American influence
in Europe could be sabotaged easily by
distorted reports issued by factions in
other countries unless there were an
adequate countercurrent of truth. 1t
would mean a sad reversal Of the SPLEEN
did progress that has been made in
Europe toward a better understanding
OF American aims and purposes. Britain
spends 500 900 900 a year on it, own
ONCE Of war information and other
countries spend comparable sums.
Owl Mistakes Granted.
The owl has made some mistakes.
1t has got into some unfortunate con-
troversies with members of Congress.
But it's one thing to take out this re-
sentiment on individuals and another
thing to hurt useful war agencies.
Now, Elmer Davis has made some
errors. This correspondent has had
some differences of opinion with the
owl directors. too. but on the whole 1t
must be said that Mr.. Davis has done 4
creditable job in a rather dificult situa.
ton and when all the facts are available
some day for impartial study it is quite
possible that some of us may be proved
wrong and he may be proved right.
Mr.. Davis has built up a functioning
organization. 1t has learned by expert
ence. The war against Japan has many
ramincations both in Europe and in
parts Of Asia not In the fighting zones.
The Owl keeps up q steady stream Of
news reels for showing abroad and Of
radio broadcasts and also news to news.
papers all over the world, most of which
cannot afford to pay the expensive cable
tolls from America. And yet In wartime
1t is essential that the statements of our
Government on public policies and other
news should be widely distributed.
Truthful News Needed.
Every one will concede that moral
force, especially when exercised BY .
democracy, depends on the now Of
truthful news from country to country.
The owl is performing functions that
could not be done by the normal instru.
mentalities of news communication,
radio or motion pictures It is a work
so vital that even the SIS 900 900 it was
spending seems trivial and the $35,0oe,.
600 which the House committee recon-.
menoed seems even more inconsequen-
tial alongside the billions being spent
for weapons of destruction.
The length of time American OCCUPY
ing armies will stay in Europe may
depend on how good q job is done in
building the foundations Of good will in
| the liberated countries. Millions Of
American parents want their boys home
soon but they probably don't stop to
think that in piece of petty politics in
| Congress damage can be done which
creates crises that delay rehabilitation
OF our Army and in turn delay the send l.
ing Of needed troops to the Pacific. 1t
seems penny wise and pound foolish to
/ cut the Owls funds down now as the
last lap Of the race to victory and the
hrst lap of the bigger race for perma-
nent peace IS about to be begun.
| Reproduction Rishts ReseryedJ