The herald., 1893-10-05

we're equally strong in their condemns-
tion Of all schemes for making the col-
lection and distribution of news pri-
vate enterprise and subject to the ire
epcnsible control of designing men.
The dangers OF such q system
were made manifest. involving. as
they do, the possibility OF
tampering with market reports, the
coloring of political or other important
information, and all absence Of restraint
or censorship on the part of the papers
themselves. So alarming was the threat
that it was felt by everyone to reach
entirely beyond the lines of the news
papers and touch in vital way the IN
terests OF every citizen. Two or three
attempts of such character had been
made in the past, notably one by Jay
Gould, but all came to grief because OF
the natural refusal of any OF the news
papers of the country to print their
news. The present effort, cloaked under
the inviting name OF the United Press,
and posing as an association, mas sue
ceeded in securing patronage from a
number of important journals, chief1y
in the east, and it was this fact that at
| tracted the attention and aroused the
| spirit of the members of the Associated
IIbo0 WuQ H630mBiO0 boAoys
Besides the members, proper, enumer.
ated above, there were also present and
quite as deeply interested, represent
atiyes of the allied associations of the
Associated Press, all of which are upon
the same cooperative plan and repre-
sent an aggregate membership running
into the hundreds. 1t was the unani-
NOUS opinion of those assembled that
the time was ripe for great national
associated press organization, such as
has never existed in this country, and
which should extend from the Atlantic
to the Pacific, embracing in its member
ship all of the leading daily newspapers,
while preserving the autonomy of the
various sectional associations for local
purposes.
The plan OF organization provides for
an absolutely equal stockholding right
for each member. This ensures the
most perfect equality among the MEM
bers. The administration is placed in
the hands of board OF directors repre-
senting every section of the country and
every considerable interest, and elected
annually. The executive officer, the
general manager, is also elected annu-
ally. This policy throws about the news
service the best possible safeguards and
necessitates the most thorough account
ability by the management for its every
act.
In response to urgent applications
from leading newspaper in the eaet it
was found necessary to increase the
capital stock.
Mr. William Penn Nixon, president OF
the Associated Press, occupied the chair.
Mr.. Victor F. Lawson, chairman OF the
executive committee, offered the follow
ing resolution which was unanimously
adopted:
Resolved, That the board of directors
be instructed to take the necessary steps
to increase the capital stock OF the Asso-
ciated Press to 100000, to the end OF
nationalizing the proprietorship OF the
association by the admission of the lead
ing newspapers in all sections OF the
country to stockholdinR in the associa-
tion, in individual amounts not exceed
ing the holdings of the present stock
holders, provided this shall not impair
the existing rights of members.
Mr.. A. j. Aikens of Milwaukee offered
the following resolution, which was
adopted by rising vote unanimously,
and subsequently signed by those pres
ent as expressive OF their sentiment:
Resolved. That the members of the
Associated Press are unanimous in their
determination to sustain the officers and
directors in their purpose to build up
national mutual newsgathering associa-
ton for the benefit of it's members and
the public it serves, and to this end we
pledge our continuous loyal support.
The general manager presented a
financial statement showing the associa-
tion to be free from indebtedness and
having q surplus OF over $33, 900.
Owing to the establishing of exclusive
relations with the great European news
gathering agencies of Reuter-, Havas and
Wolff and the added expense involved
in the extension of the service, it was
suggested that guaranty fund of an
adequate amount be provided against
any emergency that might arise. The
idea was taken up promptly and volun-
teer subscriptions to such fund were
offered.
The following legal and binding docu.
ment was prepared by Mr.. John p. Will
son, general counsel for the organization
and was signed az indicated, although q
number of the gentlemen present felt
they were not authorized to fix their sig.
natures without action by their corporate
authorities, and therefore a number ol
subscriptions are yet to be- made and
will be reported by telegraph as soon as
authorized. Still the immediate guar.
anty reaches the large total of $319, 900
Following is the document and sigma
lures:
In consideration one dollar to each o.
us in hand paid, and of the Associated
Press continuing its existing news SER
vice, with such modification as its board
of directors may deem advisable, we
the undersigned, hereby agree to pay to
said Associated Press from time to time
as called for by its board of directors
our several pro rata shares of the cost
Of such service over and above it's cur
gent income, for a period of two years,
Che total liability of any subscriber moi
to exceed the sum set opposite his name
and the pro rata share OF each subscri'
Der to be sscertained by the proportion
which his subscription bears to the az
gregate amount of all the subscriptions
hereto, the amounts 30 advanced 10 be
repaid, without interest, when and af
noon as said Associated Press shall have
surplus funds on hand available fol
such purpose, and not otherwise.
The signers and amounts pledged art
as follows:
Victor F. Lawson, for the Chicago
Record and Daily News, 0,000; H. Ii
Kohlsaat, the Chicago Inter Ocean, 500,
600; Chicago Evening Journal, by ]. II
Wilson, $4,000; st. Louis Republic
Charles W. Knapp, $4,000; st. Loui