Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-02-18
The RailrOad.TeIcgr Bill.

TESTIMONY OF MANAGER SIMONTON. OF THE NEW
YORK ASSOCIATED PRESS.
Mr. j. W. SimOnton, the general agent OF the
New York Associated Press, stated before the
Senate committee on railroads yesterday that
i'll the city OF New York single member of the
association had the power by his one objection
TO deny the admission OF any new paper to its
facilities. In the country at large the rule on
this point is various. and is determined, with
few exceptions, by local press associations
These l0cat associations make their own laws
and each determines for Itself whether il will
accept new partners, and, il SO, upon what
terms.
Mr. llubbard.-Can you give single instance
in any section Of the country where the AssO-
cated Press does not exercise its power 10 ex-
news?
Mr.. Smonton.-Certainly can II Imlstaka
not there are only three points south OF Wash
ington where any local association or authority
mas the right 10 place any restriction on the
service OF reports TO its competitors
In response TO the inquiry why the United
states government. III view OF the fact that the
news IS transmitted overland BY Write OF a
FRANCHISE s'N"" nv ~ '.: '.c government, could not
so legisate as to secure the equal diffusion OF
knowledge among men, Mr.. SimOntOn said:
You have given no franchise to the Associated
Press, and 1t requires none. II uses the teie-
graph lines for the transmission Of its own
property, as any one else may do and no fran
chise given by Congress can impair the right or
the press to use that property as it deems best
Tor its own interest. The telegraph company
fixes certain rates for this class of service
These rates are open to all
senator Teller inquired whether the ASSOci-
ated Press claimed the right to have an editor
dismissed from a newspaper Office which re-
ceiyes the Associated Press news, because such
edtor collects news for some other association?
ME- SlnnOnton replied that he understood the
ailuslOn put the Senator had been miSirformed
ne tMf. SlmOntOn) had understood that gen.
Iiehlan had been dismissed from the Washington
t,"St @ upon such preteESe. but il was not true
thal Such dismissal had been demanded
In response TO the suggestion that the Asso-
eid,eu ifeSS. like a common carrier. should fur
nlon It's reports 10 those who are willing 10 nav
.ne price, MI. SlmontOn reminded the commit
zee tnat the Associated Press business was a
private business, and the gentlemen who con-
III uEi ~ are entitled 10 manage IL in the way
which, In their private Judgment, Will best pro-
Lilote the business interests, which is The mo-
i've or the organization
. MI. Hubbard said he wanted time to show that
MI. Slmonton mad not fairly stated the case
ahu IL was understood that he would be heard
to-day, TO which time the committee adjourned
PROCEEDINGS or THE SENATE CouMIrTEE ON
RAILROADS.
Mr.. Goodsell appeared this morning before
the Senate railroad committee considering
senator Jones bill to authorize the use Of rail-
road telegraphic lines for commercial purposes.
lie spoke in behalf of the New York Gr0,,hjr
ana National Associated Press, criticisipp bust
ness ness relatlons between the Ny. Associated
fIesS ana the western Union Telegraph COM
pany, complaining of the manner In which the
Nallonal Associated Press had been treated by
1hdl teieSTapn company. In response to a
question, Mr.. Goodsell said the bill now before
'he committee would open the way to tele-