The sun., 1893-10-04
The Degradation Of q Once Great and
Useful Concern.

The most careless reader OF the daily
news has not failed to observe the con-
temporaneous and numerous dispatches
from the West announcing that this
or that journal OF character and In
luence has withdrawn from the Western
Associated Press. discarding the news SER
vice OF that concern as inadequate and
practically worthless. Within n few days
past the list OF important newspapers be-
yond the Alleghanes which have aban-
doned the Western Associated Press to be-
como members OF the United Press
has grown rapidly. The seceders have
made the change In the interest alike
OF themselves. OF their readers. and OF live
journalism. The once solid and substantial
organization is crumblng and disappearing
like lumr Of sugar in cup OF hot water.
Its dsintegration Is a process in some
respects interesting only to limited pro-
fessional circle. but 1t has also an aspect
which appeals to sentiment.
II the New York Clearing House Associa-
tion should. in the vicissitudes Of affairs.
degenerate into bucket shop. or II the
Boston Board OF Trade should undergo
progressive deterioration and demorali-
Zation to such an extent that its
venerable members should take to the
streets as fakirs with push carts. the
spectacle would hardly be more aston
ishing and melancholy than what has
actually occurred in the case Of the West
ern Associated Press. In the days Of the
old news regime this association was the
younger brother. the treaty ally. and the
equal partner OF the New York Associated
Press. Its methods were similar and its
resources practically the same. Its strong
hand was on all Of the machinery Of
news collection and distribution. and the
wires carrying the worlds intelligence
ran directly to its headquarters. 1t Is not
necessary to recite here the story Of the
stupendous folly and the fatuous small
cunning which have brought the formerly
respected and powerful concern to it's pres
ent pass it is quite enough to exhibit the
deplorable contrast.
Shut out from the ordinary sources OF in
formation upon which any newspaper
worthy OF the name must depend for its
existence the managers Of the Western As
sociated Press have been driven finally to
the expedents OF the bogus news factory.
the scissors thief journalist. and the pedder
OF stolen facts and fabricated dispatches.
1t was only the day before yesterday that
our esteemed contemporary, Mr.. BEN
NETT's Herald. whose recent special de-
spatches by cable from South America
have attracted the attention and en-
gagged the admiration OF all discern
ing persons. detected and exposed the
Western Associated Press in the act Of
stealing and garbing the news telegraphed
to the Herald at the Heraids expense. and
purveying the same. twenty-four hours old.
to Western readers as genuine dispatches
procured from South America by its own
enterprise The evidence OF the guilt and
ignominy of the Western Associated Press.
as presented by the Herald. is as conclusive
as 1t is distressing.
The Heralds exposure illustrates the
present condition and management Of the
Western Associated Press; and it likewise
explains why that concern. once power
and a tower Of strength in journalism. Is
now going to pieces as fast as It's indignant
and disgusted members and customers can
get out OF it.