811.911/26a
The Secretary of State, the Secretary of War (Baker), and the Secretary of the Navy (Daniels) to President Wilson
Dear Mr. President: Even though the co-operation of the press has been generous and patriotic, there is a steadily developing need for some authoritative agency to assure the publication of all the vital facts of national defense. Premature or ill-advised announcements of policies, plans and specific activities, whether innocent or otherwise, would constitute a source of danger.
While there is much that is properly secret in connection with the departments of the Government, the total is small compared to the vast amount of information that it is right and proper for the people to have.
America’s great present needs are confidence, enthusiasm and service, and these needs will not be met completely unless every citizen is given the feeling of partnership that comes with full, frank statements concerning the conduct of the public business.
It is our opinion that the two functions—censorship and publicity—can be joined in honesty and with profit, and we recommend the creation of a Committee on Public Information. The Chairman should be a civilian, preferably some writer of proved courage, ability and vision, able to gain the understanding co-operation of the press and at the same time rally the authors of the country to a work of service. Other members should be the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of the Navy, or an officer or officers detailed to the work by them.
[Page 7]We believe you have the undoubted authority to create this Committee on Public Information without waiting for further legislation, and because of the importance of the task, and its pressing necessity, we trust that you will see fit to do so.
The Committee, upon appointment, can proceed to the framing of regulations and the creation of machinery that will safeguard all information of value to an enemy, and at the same time open every department of government to the inspection of the people as far as possible. Such regulations and such machinery will, of course, be submitted for your approval before becoming effective.
Respectfully,
Newton D. Baker
Josephus Daniels