The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-21
4 NEW PRESS Association.
Two New York Papers Form the National
Associated Press.

NEW YORK. Oct 2O.-Much interest has
been excited in journalistic circles by the an
nouncement Of a misunderstanding between
the Western Union Company and the Asso-
clated ress, and many wild rumOrs are in
circulation. The following statement from
Mr. W. B. Somerylle, press agent Of the
Western Union Telegraph Company. tells the
situation
The difficulty is about alleged obligations
TO the Western Union Telegraph Company
for leased wires and the wires about which
the difficulty arose are leased by the New
y ork Associated ress. The wires used for
the use of the Western Associated Press have
been paid for those for the New iork AssOci-
ated Press have not been settled for, and the
obligation counts from June last 10
the present time, the amount being
$4,000. The joint committee of the New \ Ork
and western Associated Press first took the
matter IN hand. That committee consists Of
representatives of the New York Herald. New
York Tribune. New York Sun, Louisville
Courer-Journal and Cincinnati Commercial
Gazette, Tie question at issue was by them
referred 10 the members OF the JOINT commit
tee representing the New York Associated
Press. The latter concluded not to pay the
Western Union Company, on the ground that
It was Offset by oyeTchsrges.
LEASED WIRES CUT OFF.
THE Western Union accordingly notified
the New York Associated Press yesterday that
its leased wires would be cut OH at once and Il
was done. The wires IN question are one
wire from New York 90 Chicago. two wires
from New York to Washington. one wire
from WASHINGTON 10 Richmond and Norfolk
and one wire from Memphis to New
Orleans"
In regard to tie question as to upon what
grounds the Associated Press had refuaed
payment Mr. Somerwlle said. IL was in
formed 10y the joint committee that the As
sociated Press has the means to pay them and
desired 10 do so. but that the committee
though nOmnally having power had been
shoTn OF 1t by the usurpations Of the Asso-
ciated Press" Mr.. SomerUlle refused 10 say
who ho had been told the "usurping" men,
bers were. In the Joint committee the New
\ Ork Associated Press IS represented by the
Sun and Tribune, and the Western Associated /
Press by the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette |
and the Louisville Courier Ouinal, Charles |
A. Dana being the President The Western |
Associated Press is not directly but only in |
directly implicated in the trouble. according |
10 statements made at the Office Of the new /
York Associated Press. The wires with |
drawn were all leased by the latter but the |
former depended largely upon the direct /
Western wire of tho New ) ork Associated |
Press from this city to Pittsburg Cincinnati |
and Chicago.
NEW ASSOCIATION FoRMEp.
THE TINES received special telegram from
Mr.. w. NJ. Laflan. vice president and gen
oral manager OF the National Associated
Press yesterday. making tie following state
nent: The joint executive committee Of
he New York Associated Pres, was some
ime since superseded in the management of
he affairs of that organization. Colonel IL
lott f. Shepard. Of the Mail and Express.
md certain of his associates IN the Associated
'ress assuming virtual control. OF the dis
strOus resuts which have already attended
his proceeding, you are already in some part
ware. We beg leave to advise you
hat these events have compelled
he Sun and Tribune to Withdraw from the
,ew York Associated Press and with tho CO.
peratiOn of various news organizations to
rgauize an independent service which Will
q known hereafter a. The National Asso-
lated Press. Of which Mr. Charles A. Dana.
t the Sun is president"