The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-01
The ASSOCIATED PRESS.
AN INSIDE VIEW.
Its MOnOpOlizing Features Ex-
posed.

from wilkes Spirit, July so.I


purpose. We have no quarrel with any newspaper
under the dOminlon OF the Associated Press. We
can imagine news partnership that would answer
many conditions OF usefulness. Such association
= not In existence. Under the present combination
the press Ii not Tree.
We have spoken of the mysterious alliance be-
tween The Associated Press and the Western Union
Telegraph Company. The Cincinnati Commercial
does NOT think such an alliance exists; for as its
editor shrewdy reasons, 1t would be to the benefit
O The western Union Telegraph Company 10 nave
MANI rival associations for the purchase OF news
THIS would be our own reasoning. But the ordinary
forus OF logic do not seem to govern Mr.. orion. II
may be mistake TO call his relations
Ia calling 1t an ownership, as we have no facts
upon which 10 base that statement Yet we have
important item OF news because II reflected upon
Mr. Orton 9 company; and we must not be accused
we place upon sas acSm s.r9ng
under the inhuence OF some commanding motive.
II can be done in one case can be done IN others
When such power exists 1t Is well to inquire INTO
the nature OF the man to whom It is entrusted. This
inquiry Is not pertinent now and we make the sug-
geston merely TO show that one Of the evils OF the
Associated Press economy Is the absolute power
that one man possesses for good or evil over the
news columns OF the whole American press. He
may publish his own grlevances-ne may Crafty his
spieen--he may nurse his deep revenge! II depends
upon him mole than upon any human being what
news the people may read, what opinions they may
form, what they shall think on matters OF national
policy. This power exists The time may come
when we stall show certain abuses that have arisen
from It, But our discussion now rests upon higher
plane.
had Just been established. The tariff was
o Sss easr for nS H
Our journals were young, struggling, eager and
WI noat large revenues; SO they united and said
divide the expense. 1t was manifest and proper
economy. 1t was continued. The partnership paid
desired TO share the expense 1t was permitted and
right glad were the several newspapers to find
ana the was became neM
purchasers. The economy gained In strength and in
nuence An agent was appointed; and as the'mere
reception and trading OF news dispatches was not
congenlal to men ike Mr.. Greeley and Mr.. Raymond
they threw the labor and the responsibility upon the
Associated Press has really been the association
The editors have allowed II to go by default. We
Ciated Press than Mr.. Greeley or Mr.. Bennett Their
mind never Influences the association. The agent IS
practically irresponsible; They take what ne Is
preston to the news. Newspapers and readers OF
newspapers rest content under the impression that
what MIR. Greeley anu Mr. Bennett superntend and
sell must needs De the best commodity in the news
market. ALI OF that Is imaginary. 1t Is well to re-
member this In considering the advantages" Of
The partnership, which hegan with laudable de-
sire Tor economy upon part OF weak press. gained
pered. Newspapers very soon began to divide an
nually more than 100 or 200 per cent upon their
original stock They became rich enough to buy
their own dispatches. Until the cable was laid down
between this country aud Europe there never
its own news and pay for It. The resolute members
OF the partnership began to be restve tor In the very
was an aance SetWsen e sronr and iSe
between those who had much 10 give and those who
nad everything to ask 1t became the interest OF the
weaker members to MAINTAIN q partnership which
practically gave them protection In the sense which
makes protection an embargo. The Journal Of COM
ccme asd 81 town ada W sna
nominal circulation a. It Is enabled to make great
can nave none, even inside the association unless
OF the great newspapers should abandon It's iunc
only evening paper IN the association. For this
privilege 1t pays certain sum each week-not even
paying pro rata share Of the expenses of the tele-
graphic DISPATCHES. There are two other evening
papers which purchase the news by vlrtue Of some
gated ct any time by the vote Of any four Of the
newspapers. The Express has virtual monopoly
Of the afternoon news so fer a. any legal ciam to II
many afternoon Journals Look at this table, and
zee how the system OF protection operates:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The EcenfnO Express 10y partnership
The Ecentn0 Post 10y purchase).
TIE EUealr0 Commercial Advertiser tby purchaser.
OUTSIDE OF ASSOCIATED PRESS.
The Ecent1a0 Ne,cs
The Ece1stf1 Democrat.
The ECeufyly 7bic1rdDl.
The Ecent,tO Commonwealth
The three Associated Press papers charge1our and
ave cents The Others charge one and TWO cents.
papers having W the news excludes SIX caeap. re-
spectable, trustworthy journals. In this case, now
ever, the monopoly has caused its own relief, for
the circulation OF the papers outside or the ass0ca
ton Is at least ten times as great as those inside.
Were 1t not for the protection Afforded to the inside
Journals, those outside would compel them to print
either cheaper edition or TO improve the charac-
Ter Of what they do print 1t Is an Injustice to the
poor man to say to him that he canuot buy the CON-
mon news despatch unless he pays four or 1--WE
cents, and no circumstance In the whole matter
makes So srong t an Nor Goes me
cheap morning journal that ~ allowed to print the
news despatch Is the Stn We have the extraordi-
nary circumstance OF a company OF newspapers
combining to procure news Tor paper which Is
permitted TO sell 1t for onehar their own price. This
anomaly has grown up with the ASSOCIATION. In the
beginning all the great dallies were sold
for penny, and therefore their original
hui While the T.nsss Tbu,aa pI HERALD and wSSid
have increased tner price the sun has remained at
TWO cents In the morning as In the afternoon press
the remedy Is WORKING out Itself, but In lesser de-
gree. The Morning St,t, bright, breezy, well Sc
lected paper, has fought Its way INTO large clrcula
ton and great influence But much OF THIS Is due 10
the pecuiar ability OF the men who have happened
into editorial control. Under the ordinary cond-
by the monopoly. We are proud OF our New York
press We have long admired the ier.f!ty, the IN
G1stry, the commanding power shown by the great
dalies; but they have come to u stand. blight
seeuls TO nave ialen upon them. And 1t Is because
tins hl-sarred monopoy-beginnlng in the natural
desire OF lew struggling papers, twenty-five years
ago. to economic anews despatch from Washington
and Abany-llas commanded that, If any member OF
tho whole advantage must DE shared with iourpals
who nave borne nothing OF the expense. Let US
man to Abysslnia TO witness the opera.
lions against King Theodore. The correspond
ent receives salary for his time and outfit and
the expenses 0I his journeying ON land and for
thousands OF miles. lie lives for SIX months with
the army. Finally battle Is fought. The result in
twenty lines, Is ieegraphed by way OF London. 1t
comes to New l0rk. IL II the prize Tor which Mr.
bennett has toied and waited and paid large sums
OF money. Tie mere cost OF teegraphing IL Will
probably cost $500 IN gold The Cost Of getting 1t
would probably be $4,000. Yet by the law OF TINS
partnership every journal OF the association may
Claim and receive this prize for one-sevenh Of the
cost Of tolls. The prize OF great value Is the common
property Of Journals who nave never paid one dollar
O. outfit or salary or expense Of travel what is the
result OF thsf simply THAT MI. Bennett must submit
70 the tyranny or retire from the association and
Mr. BENNETT IL true OF all the journals IN theory but
upOl him the nractCa heen the