Page 53 - Historical Dictionary of Political Communication in the United States

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EARLY, STEPHEN TYREE (1889-1951), the first effective presidential sec-
retary, served Franklin D. Roosevelt throughout his White House years from
1933 to 1945. Early's experience in mass communications made him well pre-
pared to carry out his duties. Beginning as a wire-service reporter, first for the
United Press and then for the Associated Press, he worked as director of pub-
licity for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce before acting as an advance man for
Roosevelt's unsuccessful campaign for the vice presidency in 1920. After the
defeat, Early returned to the Associated Press, but he left the wire service in
1927 to become Washington editor of Paramount News, a newsreel company.
He also familiarized himself with the new field of radio. Appointed assistant
secretary in charge of press relations in 1933, he was promoted to presidential
secretary in 1937 along with Marvin Mclntyre, but Mclntyre became ill, and
Early took charge. Under Early's guidance, Roosevelt used both newsreels and
radio to great advantage to communicate directly to the public. Early made sure
that photographs of Roosevelt did not show his physical handicap. Since many
newspaper publishers disliked the New Deal, Early orchestrated contacts be-
tween Roosevelt and individual reporters, including frequent press conferences,
that countered this hostility. Understanding reporters' needs, Early held briefings
and identified news angles. In spite of showing anger toward reporters he
thought were biased, Early gained a reputation for fair dealings. Although Roo-
sevelt became somewhat bitter toward the press by 1940, Early facilitated good
working relationships between the president and the press.
SOURCE: Betty Winfield, FDR and the News Media, 1990.
Maurine H. Beasley

EICHMAN CASE (United States v. Eichman) is the most recent U.S. Supreme
Court case that challenged the constitutionality of laws to protect American flags