Federated Press
Encyclopedia
The Federated Press was a left wing news service
established in 1920 that provided daily content to the radical and labor press in America
.
and Louis P. Lochner, produced a monthly publication called People's Council Bulletin, which featured international news with an emphasis on the doings of the peace movement. The editor of this publication was William E. Williams, press spokesman of the People's Council. This bulletin proved the inspiration for the International Labor News Service, itself a news agency for the radical press, as octagenarian Scott Nearing, recounted in his 1972 memoirs:
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin
a similar concept was being tested by Edward J. Costello, Managing Editor of Victor Berger's
socialist daily, the Milwaukee Leader
. This news service, called the Federated Press, was founded on January 3, 1920, and was intended to supply copy to labor and radical newspapers around the country. The two news agencies decided to join forces under the Federated Press banner, with Costello holding down the post of Managing Editor of the Service and Lochner acting as Business Manager. Nearing provided the service with regular installments of his writing. The service grew steadily and was ultimately mailing news releases and picture mats five days a week to some 150 labor and radical publications.
In August 1920, conscientious objector
and university instructor Carl Haessler
was released from federal penitentiary after serving a two year sentence. He took over the job of Managing Editor from Costello, who left the employment of the service. Haessler remained at this position until the service was terminated in the 1940s.
Nearing continued to produce content for the Federated Press until 1943, when he was fired for his anti-war politics, which Managing Editor Haessler deemed to be "childish."
The service was discontinued after the end of World War II, when the more conservative labor papers terminated their use of the service.
News agency
A news agency is an organization of journalists established to supply news reports to news organizations: newspapers, magazines, and radio and television broadcasters. Such an agency may also be referred to as a wire service, newswire or news service.-History:The oldest news agency is Agence...
established in 1920 that provided daily content to the radical and labor press in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
History
The People's Council for Peace and Democracy, established in New York City in May 1917 and headed by Scott NearingScott Nearing
Scott Nearing was an American radical economist, educator, writer, political activist, and advocate of simple living.-The early years:...
and Louis P. Lochner, produced a monthly publication called People's Council Bulletin, which featured international news with an emphasis on the doings of the peace movement. The editor of this publication was William E. Williams, press spokesman of the People's Council. This bulletin proved the inspiration for the International Labor News Service, itself a news agency for the radical press, as octagenarian Scott Nearing, recounted in his 1972 memoirs:
"One day...a big, sturdy chap just past middle age came into our New York People's Council office and showed credentials from the Western Metal Miners. He had been reading our Bulletin and liked the material, especially that dealing with international affairs. 'If you will put this material into a regular news service,' he told us, 'our organization will help pay for it and circulate it. Here is our first contribution' and he put a $20 bill on the desk."
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
a similar concept was being tested by Edward J. Costello, Managing Editor of Victor Berger's
Victor L. Berger
Victor Luitpold Berger was a founding member of the Socialist Party of America and an important and influential Socialist journalist who helped establish the so-called Sewer Socialist movement. The first Socialist elected to the U.S...
socialist daily, the Milwaukee Leader
Milwaukee Leader
The Milwaukee Leader was a socialist daily newspaper established in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in December 1911 by Socialist Party chief Victor L. Berger...
. This news service, called the Federated Press, was founded on January 3, 1920, and was intended to supply copy to labor and radical newspapers around the country. The two news agencies decided to join forces under the Federated Press banner, with Costello holding down the post of Managing Editor of the Service and Lochner acting as Business Manager. Nearing provided the service with regular installments of his writing. The service grew steadily and was ultimately mailing news releases and picture mats five days a week to some 150 labor and radical publications.
In August 1920, conscientious objector
Conscientious objector
A conscientious objector is an "individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service" on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, and/or religion....
and university instructor Carl Haessler
Carl Haessler
Carl Haessler was an American political activist, conscription resister, newspaper editor, and trade union organizer. He is best remembered as an imprisoned conscientious objector during World War I and as the longtime head of the Federated Press, a left wing news service which supplied content to...
was released from federal penitentiary after serving a two year sentence. He took over the job of Managing Editor from Costello, who left the employment of the service. Haessler remained at this position until the service was terminated in the 1940s.
Nearing continued to produce content for the Federated Press until 1943, when he was fired for his anti-war politics, which Managing Editor Haessler deemed to be "childish."
The service was discontinued after the end of World War II, when the more conservative labor papers terminated their use of the service.