The record-union., 1892-12-01
WESTERN ASSOCIATED PRESS.
THE ANNUAL MEETING HELD
AT DETROIT.
General Manager Smith to Retire
From Active Newspaper Work
Election of Officers.
snecIal to the RrcoRp.uNrnn.

49,
DETROIT (Mich.), Nov. 3O.-The regular
annual meeting of the Western Associated
Press was held here to-day, with the
largest attendance ever had. Great inter-
est was centered in the meeting, on ac-
count Of the agitation pervading press
circles throughout the country and the
tendency toward new combinations.
The membership of the Western Asso-
ciated Press was divided as to the best
policy to pursue, and on this account the
plan for readiustment proposed by the
special committee appointed to formulate
one was antagonized by some Of the
members, who thought it wiser to ad-
here to the policy that was successful for
many years. These were led by r. w.
Patterson Of Chicago, d. M. Houser of
St Louis, w. J. Murphy of Minneapolis,
Mr.. ScrippS OF Detroit and NJ. II. De
Young OF San Francisco. Very full dis
cussion was had, eNtendieg over three
days here and in Chicago, and every in
terest involved was accorded Il hearing.
Good feeling prevailed, and the result
was the approval of the policy recon-
mended by the Special Committee on
Reorganization, in which there was
practically unanimous acquiescence
Victor +. Lawson, Chairman of the Ex-
ecutive Committee, made full report of
the work of the past year, which was
unanimously approved.
The report OF the General Manager
showed the affairs of the association TO be
in a prosperous condition, and its busi-
ness rapidly increasing.
The old Board of Directors was re-
elected as follows: Albert j. Barra of the
Plttsburg Post, w. a. Collier of the Mem
phis Appedt- AUdl0Rche, NJ. IL. De Young
OF the san Francisco CBrQalcLe, L. Driscou
OF the st. Paul Pioneer Press, Charles w.
Knapp OF the st. Louis Republic, Victor
+. Lawson of the Chicago NelCS, and Eu-
gene II. Perdue of the Cleveland Leader.
In making his report the General Man
ager announced his purpose to retire from
active journalism, as he felt he had earned
the right to a few years of leisure. Sub
sequentIy a committee was appointed to
draw up resolutions bearing upon Mr.
Smiths retiracy.
The following report was made and
unanimously adopted and directed to be
spread upon the minutes. The committee
was requested to have copy engrossed,
signed by the officers and sent to Mr..
Smith:
The Western Associated Press learns
with regret that William Henry Smith.
its General Manager, intends to with
draw from active newspaper work. He
became connected with this association
in an official capacity November l, 1869,
and thus continued with it to the present
time. During twenty-three years of serv-
ice the annual business has developed
from SlS5, 600 to 100000, and from $500
daily to $4,000 and 1900 daily, with only
five or ten per cent. increase in cost to our
members. over nine millions of dollars
have been expended under his supervi-
sion, and every nickel accounted for The
association now desires to express to Mr.
Smith its appreciation of his services aud
his sterling integrity, and to extend to
him the cordial good will of all its mem
bers. WASHINGTON HEsING,
EUGENE NJ. O'NEILL,
CHARLES p. TAFT,
Committee"
The President announced that the Cen
help to the board until the present COM
plications were settled, and the business
put upon a satisfactory basis, which was
received with applause.
The Board of Directors organized by
the election of the following officers:
President, Hon. William Penn Nixon of
the Chicago THtey- Oeean; President,
Charles p. Taft of the Cincinnati Times
Std1; Secretary, II. Z. Baker OF the De-
trolt Free Press; Treasurer, Hon. Geo,
Schneider, President of the National Bank
of Illinois. Executive Committee-Vic
tor f. Lawson, Frederick Drfscoll and C,
w. Knapp. General Manager, William
Henry Smith.
The members will return to Chicago to-
night to complete the work of reorgan-
ization in that city.