Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-01-20

That was the situation face
recent third assembly of the
New Delhi, India. 1t was one of
many similar experiences of
reporters covering the meeting.
George Dugan, religion editor
of the New York Times, de-
Scribed these and more pleas
ant aspects of the assembly to
the Washington Chapter, Ma
tional Religious Publicity
Council, at a meeting Tuesday
in First Congregational Church.
The plight of the woman
Journalist was finally solved,
but not before she had to make
a 150-mile journey to another
city and then return-all in
the same night.
Major Problem
Mr.. Dugan, who had been
present when the World Coun-
Gil of Churches was formed in
1948 at Amsterdam, Holland,
and at the second assembly in
1854 at Evanston, ILL.,, said this
was the number one problem
of reporters at New Delhi.
mo reporter was sure of his
accommodations. the interna-
tionally known writer asserted.
when a paper sends a staff
writer halfway around he
world, it expects him to be TAX
en- care of so far as accom-
modationS are concerned. The
World Council was aware of
these shortages and washed its
hands of all responsibilities. AS
a result, the first week was a
ShambleS. Some reporters had
to go five miles out of New
Delhi for accommodations.
Mr.. Dugan explained that
the largest hotel had all its
facilities rented by a world
trade fair, and the second big
gest hotel was occupied by the
top brass of the council.
Excellent Press Room
There were many plus fac
tors, the speaker said. One was
the excellent mechanical facili-
ties for reporters. Erik Modean,
press director for the National
Luthern Council, and Betty
Thompson, of the World Coun-
Gil Of Churches, ran the press
room. The former handled news
releases and the latter was a
kind of trouble shooter.
Mr.. Modean'S job was SIM
liar to that of a city editor. He
had a stall of council report
ers who would cover section
meetings and then report to
him. He would then get the re-
leases out in English, French
and German.
Mr.. Dugan declared the press
room facilities could not be
excelled in the United States.
Each reporter had a brand
new typewriter, his own desk
and all the paper and carbons
he wanted, the speaker said.
"And there was someone pres
ent in the press room at all
times to answer questions.
He pointed out that each
morning at 8:15 o'clock press
briefings concerning items to
come up that day were held.
In the late afternoon press con-
ferenceS were conducted where
leaders answered questions re-
garding the sessions.
Convention Hall Problem
But the press facilities in
the convention hall itself was
another matter, the noted re-
ligion writer observed.
THE section was in the bal
cony Of the huge hall and the
press was Jumped in with OBJ
servers, invited guests and
others, he explained.
Mr.. Dugan further noted
that after the first two days
the news was extremely sparse.
On the opening day the In
ternational Missionary Council
was admitted to the World
Council of Churches and on
the next day the Russian
Orthodox Churches we're ad-
mitted.
Then, until the end, nothing
happened" the New York Times
journalist said. II think the
public relations people should
have closer relations with coun-
Gil officials. 1t seems to me
the council could have found
reports that would have made
good stories"
One advantage for Ameri-
can reporters was the time diff
ferential between India and the
United States. When it was 6
pm. in New Delhi, it was only
8 am. in New York.
1.-THE filing facilities were ex-
cellent, the speaker declared.
Il filed through London and
the cost came to only l cent
a word"
Mr.. Dugan had high praise