Salt Lake Telegram | 1942-11-30 | Page 5 | Refuse to Carry, Believe Rumors to Help Win War, OWI Urges

L Refuse to Carry Believe Rumors To Help Win War OWl Urges WASHINGTON Nov 30 UP The UP-The The office of war information tion called on every American Monday to help win the war by toughening his mind and ears to sensational rumors Every American 0 W I said can help win this war by refusing refusing refus refus- ing to believe or repeat sensational sensational sensational sensa sensa- stories which are not carried by the newspapers or over the radio Every American can fight the enemy by refusing to spread suspicion and hate In the United States tates i I 0 W V I reporting It had analyzed more than rumors which came cameto cameto cameto to the attention of various federal agencies in the last 11 it months said they fell felI into these five general gen eral oral classes One One Hate Hate rumors expressing prejudice animosity or hostility for groups other than the enemy Tuo Two Anxiety Anxiety rumors reflecting reflect reflect- log ing ng uneasiness or fear which com com- commonly commonly take tale th the form of unfounded reports of allied disaster or weakness weak weak- ness nose ness or of overwhelming enemy strength Three Three Escape Escape rumors reflecting re reflecting reo re- in the main wishful thinking about the progress and duration of the war Four Supernatural rumors containing fantastic prophecies of disaster or impending miracles Fi e Five Curiosity Curiosity rumors which contain amusing or novel tidbits cf of t supposed news Here are the rules 0 W I suggests suggests sug sug- tests One One Never Never repeat a rumor Two Two Two-Do Do not repeat a rumor verbally even to deny it Three Three Three-If If you know the facts which can spike a rumor cite the facts promptly Four Four If If you dont don't know the facts which can stop a rumor ask the rumor teller where he got his facts Five Dont Don't Don't Dont give a rumor the benefit of any doubt The press and radio are fighting fighting fight fight- ing rumors rumors not not by the endless denying of each rumor but by blanketing the rumors with authoritative authoritative au au- au information 0 W WI I said The office of war information endeavors to give the public full fulland fulland fulland and accurate information about this war within the essential re restrictions restrictions reo re- of military security in inthe inthe inthe the conviction that It is honest news and complete information which mak makes a s it harder for rumors and specific enemy propaganda appeals since ince Pearl Harbor but commented There can be little doubt that enemy sympathizers and enemy agents in the United States are engaged in planting and encouraging encouraging aging the circulation of rumors which aid the enemy's propaganda objectives Of these the most Important important im Im- Im arc are hate rumors