News from the Army

Washington reporters have something new to goggle at. It is a transformation in Army's press section. A month ago it was a hole-in-the-wall bureau, cheerless in appearance, raggedly staffed, desultory in action. Then, from Fort Bliss came short, dark Major General Robert Charlwood Richardson to take over. Last week Army's press section appeared well on its way to becoming an efficient organ for supplying the public with military information.

Now correspondents are greeted by a cordial captain in a brand-new, cheerful reception room. Army cars whisk them to interviews in the War Department's 20 outlying buildings. When brass hats refuse interviews, General Richardson gets the refusal rescinded. "They might push a Brigadier General around," say his well-pleased subalterns, "but not a Major General."

Not only does Army press section provide such amenities for the press, but it is tackling the problem of originating more and better news.

From a half-dozen officers the new staff has increased to 24, whose job is to get Army news and make it available. Editor in chief under General Richardson is witty Lieut. Colonel Stanley Grogan, who worked for several New England papers and A. P., served six years as chief of Army Information in Manhattan. His motto is: "Bigger and better coverage of the War Department." Among his smart new assistants (most of whom retain civilian status) are news-wise professionals from such papers as the Kansas City Star and the New York Times. Transferred to General Richardson is West Point's Public Relations Officer Lieut. Colonel Ernest Dupuy. To handle radio publicity, the press section last week recruited Curtis Mitchell, editor of Movie-Radio Guide.

Pattern for the new press section is a regular City Room. "Beat" men will cover the War Department, interview generals, turn in stories to rewrite men. A lobster trick editor stays on until midnight to handle late queries from morning papers. Only because of limited space did Lieut. Colonel-Editor Grogan reluctantly abandon his plan to install a regulation U-shaped copy desk.

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