Trying to Avoid Sensationalism

Secretary Root Asks That the Attempted Assassination Be Treated as Lightly as Possible.

     Director-General Buchanan and Secret Agent Foster called at Police Headquarters shortly after 12 o’clock and were closeted for some time with Supt. Bull and District Attorney Penney. When they left, District Attorney Penney said:
     “In order that the people shall not be unduly and improperly excited, Secretary of War Root has asked that this matter be treated as quietly as possible. The making of a hero of this man with certain classes or the bitter condemnation of him will tend to disturb the people, and Mr. Root’s idea is to curb that.
     “We shall, therefore, not make public the confession made by the prisoner nor shall we permit any one other than officials or witnesses to see the prisoner. We fully appreciate the force of the suggestion by Mr. Root. I cannot say when the prisoner will be arraigned. I imagine that we shall take no formal action against him until the result of the President’s wounds is known.”