Ever since presidential press conferences were put on a regular basis by Woodrow Wilson, reporters have been hampered by some form of restriction preventing them from quoting the President directly. There was good reason for the precaution. It helped protect the President from slips of the tongue that might later embarrass him or the U.S. During the Roosevelt Administration, a standard rule was put into effect that was followed for more than 20 years: newsmen may paraphrase what the President says, but may not quote him directly. Last week the rule was changed. Press Secretary James C. Hagerty announced that...
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