Publicity Man

Upon every newspaper bureau in Washington, in and out of season, rains political publicity. Produced mostly by verbose, news-ignorant hacks, these handouts are sluiced into the trashbasket unread. As they never get into print, they represent a major waste in political party management.

Last week the Democratic party, seeking efficiency, took a step to change this system, to give its publicity point and printability. It hired away from the arch-Democratic New York World famed Washington Correspondent Charles Michelson, to be national Democratic publicity man.

It is the first time in years that either of the great parties has had a really first-class newsman at the head of its publicity. The newspaper connections of earlier Democratic press directors were largely nominal. In 1912, the Democracy's publicist was Thomas J. Pence, a political satellite of the late great Ollie James. His journalistic background was Josephus Daniels' Raleigh, N. C., News & Observer. In 1916 the post was better handled by Robert Wickliffe Woolley of the New York World, who for his services was made an Interstate Commerce Commissioner. In 1920, few were the reprintings of Democratic publicity prepared by William J. Cochran of the St. Louis Republic. Robert Linthicum of the New York World is far better remembered for his poem on the death of Woodrow Wilson than for his Democratic outpourings in 1924. Last year Mrs. Belle Moskowitz, publicist-friend of Candidate Smith, headed the publicity committee, wrote little, got little printed. Working for the Brown Derby in Washington last year were goateed Charles S. ("Buck") Hayden of the Nashville Banner, whiteheaded Robert Moores Gatee of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Their blunders -- for example, calling Candidate Hoover a "fat candidate from Piccadilly"--have not yet been forgotten.

Publicity Director Michelson is a distinct gain for capital Democracy. Born 60 years ago in Nevada, he has spent his life as a newsman, starting in San Francisco. On the staff of the New York Journal he covered the Cuban Insurrection, was seized by Spain for crossing lines without permission, imprisoned for several months. He is the brother of famed Scientist Albert Abraham Michelson (University of Chicago) and Author Miriam Michelson.

Below medium height, with crinkly greying hair, stooped shoulders, prominent nose, drawly disarming voice, he writes with a sharpness and penetration that belie his mild appearance. As a political prophet he ranks low, for he alone of the major forecasters held out hope last year of a Brown Derby triumph. That, however, will be no handicap for him in his new post.