The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-08


ceived the Associated Press reports
If a new application were made for reports. the
matter would be referred to the two papers
They would be asked whether or not a new
partner should be admitted. Last year five new
members admitted in different places. No
reasonable application ever refused. There
were many foolish people who wanted to start
newspapers They could be found every two
weeks in every town IN the land The manage
ment of the Associated Press left the matter to
each community and to the Associated Press
papers In the community to decide what should
be done. The communities, aside from the
papers, had great deal to say in the matter and
what they said had been effective. Two or three
individuals in the community would have no
right and no power to secure the Associated
Press reports, but if the community generally,
as matter of local interest, presented strong
case for an additional newspaper no instance of
refusal to meet their views could be recalled by
him.
Senator Wison-Do you make any distinction
between the business of collecting and dissem-
mating news caleuative to affect public inter
ests, the business of the country and that of any
other private business within commercial lines
of the people!
'"The news sent out, whether correct or other
wise, may have greater OF less effect upon public
affairs, may it notl'
Eyes, sir"
"And upon the business of a country or the
localities within itl7
Eyes, sir"
Elbow can any other business in the country
produce a like effectF
Mr.. Smith, man in Chicago corners the
wheat market, he affects the entire commercial
| community. If Sprague, Warner e Co., of Chi
cago, buy up all the canned goods in the country
and increase the price 20 or 80 per cent they
affect the entire commercial community.
Mr.. Wilson-Doyou think it desirable to make
and perpetuate that element in the business of
the country7
Mr.. Smith-No. sir; but that is not the case
with ha
can be bought for one cent in almost every large
city in the country, and for less than five cents
in every city, there is effort to inlure the com
munity; but. on the contrary, the newspaper
cannot succeed without representing public SEN
timent, and that is the rule in the management
of the press That sentiment is regarded always,
and newspaper cannot expect to succeed until
that is taken into consideration.
Mr.. WilsOn-When Ibuy newspaper buy
what is published in it.
Mr.. Smith--For your own individual use.
Mr.. Wilson-For such use as l choose to make
of it.
Mr.. Smfth-No: beg your pardon You can
not Immediately take it and issue that in another
form, and sell it in competition with the man of
whom you purchased it. l mean that it is not
right to do So That is a violation of property
right, as recognized by common law.
RELIABLE NEWS MATTER.
Mr.. Wilson-we1l, that is distinction con
eerning which we would probably disagree-it is
HoU very lildberldl 10 ViliS inquiry NOW; SUPPOSE
the Associated Press, for any reason whatever.
should have furnished incorrect news. 1t may
do so, may it notl
Mr.. Smith-It never has.
Mr.. Wilson-That is hardly an answer to my
question, Mr.. Smith.
Mr.. Smith-We must judge the future by the
past.
Dir Wilson, am speaking now of the posi-
bilities as they are involved in this case. + It
possible thing, whether probable or not, for the
Associated Press to furnish false newsl
Mr.. Smith-It is a possible thing for man to
commit an error-to be misled.
Mr., Wilson-That is hardly an answer to my
question.
MI Suith-But tie Associated Press-and
that is what gives it its vajue-labors to make
authentic the facts IL sends out
Mr.. Wisou-U ndoubtsdly. However, there
have been many instances in which news has
not been authentic.
Mr.. Smith-Very few instances, sir, within
my recollection and have been in the news
paper business twenty seven years.
Mr. Wilson-Now it is within the power of
the Associated Press to do what have suggested
undoubtedly.
Mr. Smiti--No it is not, and 1 win tell you
why it is not.
Mr.. Wilson am not making any such point
as to the Associated Press, or any other associa
ton. Iam suggesting now what seems to me
general principle 1t seems to me that it is pos
sibe for the Associated Press to mislead the
public with regard to public affairs and with re-
gard to business by sending out that which is in
correct as authentic news, upon which the public
may act upon which individuals may act. They
supply that to the press of the country from
which the great mass of people may derive their
information and on which they act in business
affairs. and in their public affairs. Now, it
seems to me that an association or an individual
engaged in that business stands in very differ
ent relation from man who Is conducting
4.II; ofI,
private business, mandatory, or persons
who pursue any other line of ordinary vacations
in life; and it is reason that public affairs and
business affairs may be largely affected by the
action of one and cannot be so affected by the
action of the other. 1t seems to me there is a
clear distinction between that kind of business
and the ordinary private business of the people
ofsthe country
Mr. Smith-There is no distinction, so far as
property rights are concerned-no distinction,
so far as the law is concerned.
By Senator Jackson-You think it is simply
a distinction in the degree of confidence the
public may have in the reception of newsl
Mr.. Smith-Yes sir. l desire now to show
why said it would he impossible for the Asso-
ciated Press to systematically and Intentionally
mslead the public 1t is because the Associated
Press is part of the interests of every commu-
nifty in the United States Its membership en-
braces papers of all parties, representing
every kind of opinion, and, therefore,
there couldsnot be concerted action on the part
OF members OF IHe ASSOcldIeu IfeSS, winch
would lead to a systematic misrepresentation of
events or matters IN which the public had vital
interest
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
Mr.. Wilson-Does it not appear to you that
because of the close connection between that
association or any other similar association,
with the public affairs of the country, that it
stands upon different basis from that of the
ordinary business of the people?
Mr. Smith-In one sense admit that; but
not in the. sense of property, which was the
point considered.
Mr.. Wilson-In what sense would you regard
it as occupying different positioni
Mr.. Smith--In the sense Of being a public