"Off the Record"

No Democratic President has ever had a better Republican Press than Franklin D. Roosevelt during his 23 months in office. By his adroit management he has kept most White House newshawks fluttering happily in the benevolent aura of his smile, if not actually feeding out of his hand. And through these contented correspondents he has kept most editors and editorial writers back in the home offices in conditions varying from hoarse enthusiasm to quiet neutrality.

All this was fortunate not only for the New Deal but for Franklin Roosevelt. Though he makes a public virtue of welcoming "constructive criticism," the President is comparatively sensitive to harsh words. And of late an increasing number of harsh words have been getting into press comment on his Administration. If the President really was losing some of his good will with the nation's publishers, he took a step last week which won him a fresh armful of bouquets from them-- and a shower of brickbats from organized reporters. Over the protest of the American Newspaper Guild, President Roosevelt ordered the National Labor Relations Board to pass the case of Dean Sothern Jennings back to the Newspaper Code Authority's Industrial, Board for final settlement (see p. 49).

Meanwhile it became evident last week that all was not well within the tight little circle of correspondents who cover the White House and report the President, under rules of his own making, to the country. To Manhattan to address the National Republican Club went Correspondent Krock--"Arthur"' to the Presi-dent--of the great New York Times. As befitted the No. i Washington man of an independent Democratic paper, Arthur Krock attempted to present a first-hand nonpartisan picture of White House press relations. Yet before he had done he spoke in a way that may well have wounded a thin-skinned President. Describing what takes place at a White House press conference, Mr. Krock said:

"A newspaper man asks a question. Before he can move to prevent it, the government official [i. e. the President] begins a reply with the preface that this is 'off the record.' The White House definition of this phrase is that nothing the official says can be published in any way, with or without attribution. It cannot be hinted in the newspapers. It cannot be repeated to the correspondent's superiors. Depending upon the correspondent's interpretation of ethics, the information is thus sealed long or briefly.

"In the President's press conferences-- and he makes free use of this method-- the doors are locked so that none can walk out. And also, it all happens so quickly that one could not walk out even if he decided to make so valorous a gesture.

"The President's meetings with the newspaper correspondents have had great praise and no censure that I can recall. Unlike his predecessor, he takes questions as they come. He does not require that they be previously submitted in writing. But the difference is one of method only, arising from the fact that Mr. Roosevelt, especially with the advantage a President in a press conference has over his guests, can avoid answering anything he does not want to answer. He is a master of avoidance, and the rules of courtesy, plus the prestige of his great office, preclude any attempt to pin him down. He gives out in these conferences just what he wishes to give out, and, if he is in a tight place, there is always the unfair device of 'off the record,' or the less blameworthy evasion: 'I haven't read it.'

"The President's newspaper conference method, the absence of what we call 'trained seals,' his geniality, his use of first names, his numerous small private hospitalities to the Press--all these undoubtedly have won him a regard among the reporters which, I do not for a moment doubt, impels many of them to give him and his plans the best of it when there is a best that can be given without violence to the facts.

"All politicians with whom I have had contact resent the freedom of the Press when events are going against them. . . . But I deeply and with reason suspect this Administration of more ruthlessness, intelligence and subtlety in trying to suppress legitimate, unfavorable comment than any other I have known. . . ."

P:Ninety-nine sat down to dinner last week in the White House's State Dining Room, the President, Mrs. Roosevelt, and all the top-hole foreign diplomats in Washington, many with their 'wives. In honor of the occasion the new 1,720-piece, $9,301.20 set of Roosevelt china was used for the first time.

P: Accustomed though it is to feeding large parties, the White House staff was worried la'st week. Mrs. Roosevelt had invited the Chautauqua Women's Club to lunch. As they began to arrive--Carrie Chapman Catt leaning on a cane, others in wheel chairs--Whitehousekeeper Nesbitt hastily ordered more dishes brought up, telephoned caterers for more paper napkins, ham, potato salad, buns, pickles, coffee, ice cream. In the East Room the great gold piano, suitably covered, was used as a serving table for angel cake. Mrs. Roosevelt carried a stool into the State Dining Room, mounted it and told the gathering: "I have been very much encouraged by the number of acceptances. . . ." Then she carried it into the East Room and addressed the throng there: "... I was not so sure a year and a half ago so many of you would have felt confidence enough to make this trip. ... It shows improvement. I am glad to have 900 instead of a paltry 300."

Up piped Mrs. Percy V. Pennybacker, octogenarian club woman: "We are here, Mrs. Roosevelt, a thousand strong!"

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