SCIENCE IN NEWSPAPERS 487 



space. The editorial managers were apparently disposed to give all 

 space needed for ample information to the public on the congress, and 

 the reporters did their best — and worst. 



The reports on the congress contain six formal interviews. Two of 

 the interviewed parties were government officials in charge of geological 

 work in two leading nations of the world. The aim of the interviewer 

 is to procure information that shall prove interesting to the public. 

 These two interviews dealt with the organization and the work of the 

 government geologists in the two countries nearest to the meeting place 

 of the congress. In journalistic work local interest is always to be con- 

 sidered. How the popular interest is always uppermost in the reporter's 

 mind appears in the selection of the subjects of the other interviews. 

 One was a Japanese, interesting because of his nationality. Another 

 was an owner of an anthracite mine. The special topic of this congress 

 was the world's supply of coal. The other two interviews aimed to draw 

 interest by the subjects touched upon — the geology of biblical lands, 

 and the age of the earth expressed in years. The latter subject is twice 

 discussed in the interviews. 



From the point of view of the public it is perhaps to be regretted 

 that scientists are averse to being interviewed. They hate to be quoted 

 incorrectly, and they have a great dread for professional criticism. They 

 fear to be suspected of too much appreciating popular recognition. This 

 looks like moral cowardice. Eeally it comes from the fact that men of 

 science in their work must necessarily ignore popular beliefs and popular 

 recognition of the truths they may discover. But this is no reason why 

 they should be disinclined to make some sacrifice for the education of 

 the public. 



All social functions of the congress were reported with fulness and 

 detail. There were the usual descriptions of the gems and laces worn 

 by the leading ladies and there were the customary accounts of felicitous 

 remarks uttered by the men who spoke the toasts. The arrangements 

 made for the entertainment of the visitors on each of these occasions 

 were also adequately described. Here again the demands of local inter- 

 ests were met by the papers. They were performing an every-day duty 

 to their home constituents. 



About twelve per cent, of the text may be classified as personal notes 

 on individual members of the congress, light biographical material. 

 Such attentions were naturally given to men in high official positions, 

 men of great renown, or people of unusual and striking accomplishments. 

 The task of selecting the right material was, no doubt, difficult. One 

 prominent foreign delegate was " featured " in this way, because he in- 

 terests himself in politics and is a leader among the socialists in his 

 home country. In some cases the selection must have depended on the 

 chance of finding the information supplied. No doubt much more 



