Newspaper Article from Syracuse Post Standard, "The Rumor Clinic: Public Co-operation Essential To Fight Subversive Group," by Warren B. Walsh

8/11/42 (Reprint from The Syracuse, N. Y., Post-Standard) The Rumor Clinic Public Co-operation Essential To Fight Subversive Gossip BY PROF. WARREN B. WALSH DIRECTOR OF SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY RUMOR CLINIC Is the Rumor Clinic a government agency? No, it is a volunteer civilian organization and has no official relation- ship with any local or national government agency. Does the Rumor Clinic co-operate with official governmental depärt- ments? Yes, by keeping them informed of rumors which may affect them. They return the favor by supplying information which enables the Clinic to answer rumors. How is the Clinic financed? By voluntary contributions from public-spirited citizens. Are the officers of the Clinic paid? No. No one connected with the Clinic receives any pay for the work except a part-time secretary. We give our time as part of our con- tribution to the war effort. Who runs the Clinic? All decisions are made by an executive committee. What are morale wardens? Morale wardens are the ears and reporters of the Clinic. They report regularly to the Clinic all rumors which they hear. Morale wardens are appointed by the executive committee. Can anyone send rumors to the Clinic even if he is not a morale warden? Yes. The Clinic can succeed only if the public co-operates. If I send a rumor to the Clinic, will my name be revealed? No. The Clinic holds all letters and reports in confidence. The only persons who are allowed access to its files are the members of the executive committee and, in some cases,. official government agencies. Will the Clinic answer letters asking for information about specific rumors? Because its staff and budget are very limited, the Clinic regrets that it cannot do SO. Will the Clinic use information given in anonymous letters or reports? No. The Clinic neither can nor will use any material which comes from unnamed sources. This is to prevent unscrupulous persons from using the Clinic for their own ends. Will the Clinic refute all rumors which are sent to it? No. Some rumors cannot be answered without giving valuable infor- mation to the enemy. Is the Clinic interested in rumors dealing with local conditions? Yes-if they affect the war effort in any way. If in doubt, send it in. Is there any guarantee as to the reliability of the Clinic? The Clinic is sponsored by Syracuse university and it works in co- operation with The Post-Standard. Material for its columns comes from official sources or from recognized experts in the various fields. The members of its executive committee are local citizens of established reputation and position. Their names have been published in The Post-Standard. Is the Clinic committed to any political party, group or creed? It is not. The Clinic is committed only to the furtherance of our fight against the Axis nations. It has no ax to grind except the one to be applied to the necks of our enemies. This Week's Rumors Rumor: "The government is going to freeze war bonds so that they cannot be cashed for 10 years from date of issue." Answer: There is no indication of any intention to freeze war bonds. Under the present regulations, defense bonds, Series E, which mature in 10 years are redeemable at any time after 60 days from the date of issue. You will find full instructions, as well as a table of re- demption values, on each bond. The Clinic suggests that you buy a bond