New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-30

The difficulties in the management of the AsSo
ciatcd Press have been matter Of much discussion in
the newspaper We have not interfered, because il
was a matter Of mere business in which We felt that
our readers could have little interest. There have
been so many falsehoods told, however, about the
Association, aud especially about the relations
Of the New-York press to the press OF other
cities, that simple statement from The TRIBUNE as
a member of the Associated Press, may be of interest
The Associated Press is simply the union OF seven
newspapers for the purchase and distribution OF such
news as may be used by all journals in common. The
expense Of doing this has been divided and newspaper
publishing made cheaper. When the Association was
first organized, tho newspapers outside of New-York
refused 10 enter into its arrangements. They pro-
cured news from Independent sources, and opposed
our enterprise In time they found it 20 their interest
TO unite with u.s. As we had no motive but the OBJ
tanning of news, and its exclusive use in New-York,
there could be objection TO giving that news to
papers in other cities where were not in compe-
tition In time the Associations grew-t extended
over the country-it gathered strength-it expended
many hundreds of thousands Of dollars in developing
news facilities in purchasing yachts, steamers toe-
graph lines, and establishing the most intimate and
extensive machinery that ever existed in Amer
lea, or, perhaps, in the world.
An agent was employed named Craig. For II years
he managed this organization. We know he did
not receive more than a small salary-we believe he
was poor when he came to our seryce-he has made,
II is said, good sum of money. The place gave him
many advantages, and he has not been nsensible to
their value. IIo did work, not always 10 the
satisfaction Of The TRIBUNE for generally felt that
be was something of charatan, and not altogether
worthy of our absolute confidence. THE TRIBUNE
accordingly voted for his removal some years ago.
Still the work was done-Our contemporaries seemedto
like Mr. Craig, and We made no opposition. limo
has shown that We right and this General Agent
was not a worthy servant Mr.. Craig was dismissed
from our service for endeav0rng, while
receiving pay from the New-York Associated
Press, to subyert il, and make q new organization
which would make him tho arbiter of newsin America,
with power to keep or print it, use it as he pleased
in commercial operations, and give 1t to the press
when he thought proper. He would become the
Reuter- of America lie arranged all his plans They
were discovered. He was instantly, unanimously
and ANONYMOUSLY dismissed from our seryce-eyery
journal voting for H. and very much as any private
gentlemen Of the press would have dismissed SER
want who had been found with the family spoons IN
his pocket There was no objection to Mr. Craig
selling news, any more than to his selling cheese.
But we did object to his selling the machinery which
had cost us such vast sums of money. And as journ
alists not nsensible we hope, to the dignity and
enterprise of journalism we did not care to place our
selves at the mercy OF Reuter-, to get the news he
pleased and give it to us when it suited his good
pleasure.
new agent was selected, and everything went on
smoothly. Newspapers aud organizations of newspa'
pers who purchase news have been approached BY
him with offers of better news at lower prices. Some
of these have come to tho Associated Press and asked
that wo enter into competition with Mr.. Craig, and
allow them to buy our news, and his, or either as
they deem best. One organization, known o. tns