Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 84.djvu/491

Rh 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 considered. 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. Really 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 interests 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 interests 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