New-York tribune., 1875-02-25
ORGANIZED NEWS-GATHERING.
A LECTURE BY j. W. sNoYToN ON THE ASSOCIATED
PRESS.

A LECTURE BY j. w. sIM0NT0H ON THR ASSOCIATED
PRESS.
The hall of the Free Reading Room Associ
alton at New.Brighton, Staten Island, filed on
Tuesday evening, on the occasion Of lecture by ]. W.
Edmonton, Manager OF the General Agency Of the Asso
eisted Press this city The subject, The Associated
Press; or How we get our News" was chosen at the
request the Lecture Committee OF the Association, Of
which George William Curtis is chairman.
Mr eimonJon after sating the popular ignorance in
regard to te orgspiEatioa methods. and purposes Of
the Associated Press rapidly esStched its rise ana
progress from the uarbor News Assoese9p OF On early
day. He explained that it was simple business CO.
partnership formed to efficiency and economy In
the collection Of the news Of the world by combining
tie resources a ali ia ymon service IN the results
sf which all should share He described the operations
OF kindred associations IN New-Engsnd, the Western
States. and else wnefe, and their method or news
changes stating that each Of these outside associations
was entirely independent in its own territory and that
all were together by contracts based on mutual
interest the expense OF generally complete news
service being greatly reduced TO all by the arrange.
ment
ercia or speculative enterprise The assessments for
use of its facilities are based upon the amount of
60 pay and as rule journals of the great cities,
which prosperous and strong carry the heaVy enc
eountry 70 receive their reports sometimes only
per cent OF tie amount paid by the stronger, even
The cost OF Associated Press reports 10 lndlvidual
Journals ranges from SIS $3.50 week each with the
exception Of the morning Journals OF New-fork CITY,
weekly bills during the last few months, have
averaged $500 each after credting every item OF
receips kindred associations any other source
In describing the detailed duties OF the manifoding
room the speaker gave several uderous instances OF
feecraphc and the method of detecting and
recng them. The method Of distributing the news over
The country after mad been concentrated at
was illustrated by telegraphc map OF the bouthern
States on which little flags marked each city receiving
news in reports, whereby all points South
are served simultaneously by operator In single
aransmittin GmanIpulaon from Washington, and at the
same instant Of time.
the chief objections made to the Associated Press
system were considered. and shown 70 rest almost
firely upon the complanants msapprehenslon OF the
facts The Associated Press rs not monopoly In anV
fre sense does obstruet others In getting
for INC mselyes 1t has combination with any tele
craph com pany for mutual support neither has
see auy rates conditions Of service by the telegraph
companies that not equally open to all Ii monopo-
li,as nothing except that which IL has created
for itseli-Its own facilitiea the growth Of so
years experience, intelligent effort, and skill.
zach Of the kindred associations determines
for ltself whether t Will accept partners ln the
use OF its news The folly OF Congressional attemts
10 make restrictions upon telegraph companies with
fbe OBJECT OF breaking up the Associated Press was
Illustrated IN such manner as to show that any such in
Press By crushing out the telegraphc column OF the
great OF country journals and concentrating the
entire business the hands OF the wealthy and ttrog
seuInalis ~ the great cities, who would still combine
As Before There no method OF preventing this,
nless Congress legislate TO make eopartnership
crime and forbid the laws OF mutual attraction and
community Of interest 10 exercise their natural force