Dear
Bill: Your letter brings me my first intimation that Nelson and Milton have disagreed over the proper organization of our information service.1
As you know, I have never been one of those who maintains that in some particular detail of organization lies the secret of success or failure. Consequently, I am moved to agree with your statement that this is an important, but not a vital, question.
In a very few sentences I shall try to give you my convictions about this information business. Admittedly, my impressions and conclusions have been formed in the "receiving" areas of the world, rather than the "sending" end. Our actual needs, as I see it, fall in three broad classifications.
The first of these is a need for accurate statement of the American position on great questions and problems, embellished only by giving the facts, circumstances and conditions that have brought about the formulation of the policy. This particular function must be done so accurately, with such careful regard for the truth, that it will come to be respected and trusted throughout the world. To my mind this is the real function of the Voice of America, or whatever other name this strictly official instrument should want.
Another need is in the job of presenting the American story throughout the world, to friends and enemies alike. It is hopeless to do this by lecturing and pontification. It must be done in many ways. And in most of it the hand of government must be carefully concealed, and, in some cases I should say, wholly eliminated.
The same facilities used by the so-called "Voice" might be used for part of this work at different hours of the day, but there would be no real or apparent connection between the two activities.
A great deal of this particular type of thing would be done through arrangements with all sorts of privately operated enterprises in the field of entertainment, dramatics, music, and so on and so on. Another part of it would be done through clandestine arrangements with magazines, newspapers and other periodicals, and book publishers, in some countries. This entire part must be carefully segregated, in my opinion, from the official statement of American position before the world.
Finally, there is a part of this picture that involves deeds rather than words--the helping out with gifts of wheat or money, or Point IV programs, or anything else of related character.2 These things have a direct impact, and they must be carefully coordinated with all other efforts to present America accurately to the eyes and ears and hearts of the world.
Now, my own personal viewpoint is that the Voice of America belongs to the State Department. I personally think that all other activities would best be operated outside the State Department but in complete faithfulness to the policies laid down by the government and interpreted by the State Department.
This particular belief I still hold, in spite of the fact that few here have agreed with me in all the details, and I by no means intend to impose my own individual views upon a program that has been devised by a whole group of devoted people.
Another factor, of course, that always affects organization is the personality of a responsible individual. One system will work for one man or group of men, while with other personalities a somewhat different system is often better.
I did not mean to write quite such a long letter, but yours has reminded me that I want to talk to Milton about this matter this afternoon.3
In any event, it was nice to hear from you again.4 Sincerely
