Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-22
Advisory Unit Urges
Independent Agency
For Propaganda
By jones {. Roper

A five-man advisory commit
tee recommended yesterday that
the United States take America
propaganda agencies out Of the
State Department and set them
up in an independent organiza-
ton with cabinet rank.
The United States propa-
ganda machine, the committee
said. also should be enlarged, in
vigorated and inspired.
The recommendation came
from the United States Advisory
Committee on Information, a
standing group which reports
to Congress semiannually.
David Against Goliath.
It warned that the present
United States propaganda army
of 10000 persons spending 500
million annually is like David
fighting a Soviet Goliath. It
said Russia and her satellites in
1850 spent about STA billion on
propaganda, and used nearly
100000 persons.
In suggesting that the prop
uganda work be taken out Of the
State Department, the commit
tee said: ~,
This recommendation is
made because of the infiex-
Utility within the Department of
State of operating methods and
procedures for a fast-moving OPP
Grafton of this kind.
There are in this program a
number of capable and efficient
employes-many of them highly
skilled but underpaid profess
SIGNALS"
The committee said, however.
that they have been handicapped
by STIFFNESS Of a department
geared to the speed Of interna-
tional diplomacy rather than the
lightning strokes Of radio prop
uganda.
Sees Lack Of Enthusiasm.
The committee said the de-
partment has shown "a singular
lack of enthusiasm and imagi-
nation" in developing interna-
tional information programs.
The trend is for the better, the
committee said, but the pro-
gram still creaks at the joints"
Heading the committee is
Mark A. May. director Of the
Yale University Institute Of HUI
man Relations. Members are
Edwin D. Canham. editor Of the
Christian Science Monitor;
Philip D. Reed, chairman OF the
Board of General Electric Co.;
Ben Hibbs. editor of the Satur-
day Evening Post; and Justin,
Miller, chairman of the board
of the National Association OF
Radio and Television Broad
casters. I
They called on American prop
agandists to take a vigorous
offensive" inspired by a new dec
laration of American principles.
They suggested points from Pres
ident Eisenhower inaugural ad-
dress might furnish the inspira-
ton for a propaganda drive to
convince the world that free
dom, not Communism. is the
future of the world.
Both Parties Praised.
The committee praised Demo-
Gratis and Republicans alike for
supporting the American propa-
ganda effort. It said the pro-
gram has received "about all the,
financial support that it could
use well in the years of its initial.
growth" The committee added:
1T remains for the new admins
tration to give it the added
strength and expansion that is
needed for the accomplishment
of that task that lies ahead
The report came just as a
Senate subcommittee under SEN
ator Mccarthy Of Wisconsin is
holding public hearings on the
Voice of America. Although wit
nesses have been clawing the
Voice, subcommittee members
showed little immediate enthu-
siasm for creating a propaganda
post in the cabinet.
Senator Mcclellan, Democrat,
of Arkansas. said that all the
Voice needs is a change Of adj
ministration Ito serve the in
terests of our country and not
work to the advantage Of Com
'munism." Senator DirkSen. Re-
publican, of Illinois, didn't like
the cabinet idea, either Senator
Mundt, Republican. of South
Dakota, favored a new Federal
propaganda agency only if Sec
rotary of State Dulles should be
reluctant to give the Voice the
tight listed administration it OBJ
ViouSly requires"