The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-01
WESTERN ASSOCIATED PRESS.
William Henry Smith Retires From the
Management-Ann Meeting.

william Henry Smith Retires From the
Management-Annusl Meeting.
DETROIT. Mich, Nov. 3O.-The regular an
nual meeting of the Western Associated
press WAS held here o-day with the largest
attendance ever had. Great interest CEN
tered in the meeting on account of the agi-
tation pervading press circles throughout
the country and the tendency towards new
combinations. The membership of the
Western Associated press WAS divided as to
the best policy to pursue. and on this ac-
count the plan for readjustment, proposed
by the special committee appointed to for
mulate one, WAS antagoniZed by some of
the members, who thought it wiser to ad
| here to the policy that was successful for
many years. Very full discussion WAS had.
extending over three days here and in Chi
| cago, and every interest involved was ac-
| corded hearing. Good feeling prevailed.
and the result was the approval OF the pol
icy recommended by the special committee
on reorganization, in which there was prac-
tically a unanimous acquiesoence.
| Victor L. Lawson, chairman of the exec
utive committee, made a full report of the
work of the past year, which was unani-
mously approved. The report of the gen.
eral manager showed the affairs of the as
sociation to be in a prosperous condition
and it's business rapidly increasing. The
old board of directors were elected. as fol-
lows: Albert j. Barr, of the Pittsburg
| Post; w. A. Collier. of the Memphis APP
peal-Avalanche M. II. De Young, of the
San Francisco Chronicle; Frederick Dris-
w. Knapp, of the st. Louis Republic; Vic
! tor f. Lawson, of the Chicago News, and
Eugene Ii. Perdue. of the Cleveland
Leader. In making his report the general
manager announced his purpose to retire
| from active journalism, as he felt he had
| n -, .,<,nk cx~cl l-.-
subsequently committee was appointed
| to draw up resolutions bearing upon Mr..
| Smiths retiracy.
| The following report was made and unan-
imously adopted and directed to be spread
upon the minutes. The committee was re-
quested to have copy enprossed signed
by the officers and sent to MIR. Smith.
THE Western Associated press learns
with regret that William Henry Smith, its
general manager, intends to withdraw from
active newspaper work. He became con-
nected with this association in an official
capacity Nov. l, 1869, and has continued
with it up TO the present time. During his
twenty-three years of service the annual
| business has developed from Sl65.000 to
$640.000, and from $500 daily to $4,000
and $4,000 daily. with only five or 10 per
cent increase in cost to our members. Over
$4,000. 600 have been expended under his
supervision and every nickel accounted for.
| The association now desires to express to
MIR. Smith it's appreciation of his eminent
services and his sterling integrity, and to
extend to him the cordial good will Of all
its members. iSgned)
| "CHARLEs p. TAFT,
| "WAsHINGToN HEsING,
eugene M. O'NEILL Committee" !"
| The president announced that the gen.
eral manager had consented to give his
help to the board until the present compli-
| cations were settled and the business put
| cofi of tnrxy tac xubs snh
ceived with applause. The board of di-
rectors organized by the election of the fol-
lowing officers: President, Hon. William
Penn Nixon. of the Chicago Inter Ocean;
vice pl esident, Charles z. Taft. of the Gin
cinnati Times Star; secretary, Ill. f. Baker.
| of the Detroit Free Press; treasurer, Hon.
George Schneider. president of the National
Bank of Illinois: executive committee, VIC
tor +. Lawson, Frederick Driscoll and G.
w. Knapp general manager, William
Henry smith. The members will return TO
Chicago tonight to complete the work of
reorganization i'll that city.