28 REPORT OF THE FORESTRY COMMITTEE 



With place and plan carefully determined in ample time, certainly months 

 before the meeting, the campaign should have two objects — to get out attendance, 

 and to give the meeting public prominence which will advertise forestry in general 

 and give weight to the meeting in particular. In some ways both objects can be 

 served at once, in others they cannot be. 



There should be a mailing list of all the real workers in forest affairs whose 

 presence is especially desired, to receive continued forecasts of the meeting that 

 will stimulate their interest. These forecasts, seldom of more than 200 to 400 

 words, should appear to be announcing decisions and developments as soon as 

 arrived at. In this way they can also serve for press use. One may announce 

 meeting place, another the program, another request advice from the recipient 

 as to some phase of the meeting, another mention possibilities of dangerous 

 conclusions if the faithful are not on hand, another the character and amount of 

 interest being taken in the meeting, etc. The views or preliminary reports of 

 speakers and committees should be collected and used both to excite the interest 

 of delegates and for newsy material for the press. When considering the former 

 in all this, try to bring out two things : that the meeting will supply just what 

 they want to get out of the time and expense devoted to such a trip, and that if 

 they stay away something distasteful to them may be done. 



Such of this material a,s is suitable should go to all lumbering, farming, 

 mining and engineering trade journals. The first sent should be accompanied 

 by a letter inviting them to take part in the meeting and to send representatives. 

 By asking them to signify their interest by reply, so you can make arrangements 

 to supply them with copies of addresses, etc., enlist their friendship and make 

 their notices more than perfunctory. Supply them with something frequently, 

 to give their readers the impression that the meeting and its topics are important 

 enough to make such journals keep in touch with progress. 



If the meeting is a fairly important one, its executive officials should early 

 get in touch also with United and Associated Press representatives in their home 

 towns and explain that from time to time there will be news worth telegraphing. 

 Get an understanding on this, then follow it up. The value of anything to these 

 agencies is in its newness. "It has been decided today" or "a report received 

 today" is what they want. Remember that some minor thing delivered to a man 

 before anyone else has it may carry reference to your project over the wires 

 when to wait until it has been discussed by other officials or some committee will 

 spoil it. Such use of interesting developments of the approaching meeting, or 

 of affairs to be discussed thereat, offer the very best means of getting publicity 

 through very short telegraphic items. Everyone connected with the meeting 

 should send in ideas for this. Each should be handled singly. Newspapers will 

 know that many such points do not develop simultaneously and be suspicious, if 

 they are bunched, that some are not new. In the preparation of material for 

 the press, remember that nothing will more effectually discourage its use by 

 correspondents than the attempt to make it a medium for laudatory mention of 

 individuals. Newspaper men have a highly developed dislike for "boost" stuflf. 



In the meantime have similar arrangements with daily and association press 



