The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-25

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The American Newspaper Publisher Asso-
citation concluded it's deliberations yesterday
and adjourned. The meeting was OF great ben
eft to those who attended, in many ways.
Questions Of interest, chiefly to the publishing
department. were discussed; and while any
aeon taken by the association Ia not binding
on the members. the information which was
obtained was Of such q character as to be Of
material assistance to those engaged In the
work OF the production of newspaper.
Perhaps more interest centred In the dues-
lions which have recently arisen between the
two great news collectors and distributors the
United Press and the Western Associated
Press. than In the deliberations Of the body
itself. Western men were particularly inter-
ested In finding out what the Eastern news
papers who are in the United Press proposed
to do In view OF the fact that the United
Press had declared its intention Of continuing
In business as heretofore. and that the East
ern members Of the United Press had repeat
eddy stated that they proposed to remain in
the United Press. 1t seems strange that there
should have been any miscon ption by any
body as to the position which the United Press
and Its Eastern mem bers hold. numors to the
effect that the United Press proposed to de-
sert its clients In the Western field. that it's
strongest members in tho East intended to
withdraw from II and Join the Western Asso-
ciated Press. and even that 1t was about to 20
out OF business Altogether. leaving it's men,
bers and clients In the luroh. were Indus
triously circulated In the West and had their
due effect In making the members from that
part the country shaky In their adherence to
the United Press. That these rumors were
false In every particular did not make any DIFF
ference In influencing those who heard them.
because until they were brought here By men
who were attending the meeting OF the pub
fishers. the extent to which they were being
used was unknown to those who were In po-
sition to deny their authenticity.
1t did not take long for tho Western mon to
find out the truth. A little common sense
showed them that the United Press would not
be foolish enough to desert o territory where
its revenue was so large as It was known to be
In the West where IL serves about 40 news
papers. suicidal policy. providing II was GO
ing to stay In business at all Then the West
erners were met with the positive declaration
that the United Press would continue to COLI
leot aud distribute news as IL has done for SO
many years. and that all It's contracts with it's
members and clients would be fulfilled to the
letter Lastly. there was proved beyond q
doubt. to the satisfaction Of every body. that
compact had been entered into between the
strongest newspapers In New York and along
the Atlantic seaboard to stand BY and assist
the United Press under all circumstances and
to do everything possible to make 10 success.
ful ~ news agency.
When the facts became generally known
there was rsvulsion Of feeling In favor Of the
rumors afIeettng its integrity and the faithful
ness Of its members should have been circu-
lated. This also had its effect on members OF
the Western Associated Press. tho result BE-.
Ing that they began to look at the position
which they themselves held. As 10 we'll known.
there was considerable dissatisfaction sx-
pressed at the annual meeting Of the Western
Associated Press recently held In Chicago,
over certain clauses OF the bylaws. which
vested all control OF the association In the
Board OF Directors. and which control was in
turn relegated to an Executive Committee Of
three An attempt was made to change the
bylaws in this respect but the President
ruled the resolution out Of order. The reason
for the criticism OF this provision was that
under the bylaws this small number OF men
are entitled to raise tho assessments OF NOM
bers to such figure as would be exceedingly
onerous to many small newspapers In addi-
ton to this. the members Of the Western Asso-
ciated Press have signed q contract binding
themselves not to withdraw from the associa-
ton for ninety years. and the only way they
can get out 10 to BIO expelled for nor. payment
OF assessments
This condition gives the Board OF Directors
and the Executive Committee tho power to
raise members assessment SO high that he
cannot pay II. and must therefore. suffer ex-
pulson. and In this way members who are for
any reasons obnoxious to Q majority Of
the Board or the Executive Committee can be |
forced out OF the association. and have no re-
dresa Another thing which excites comment |
among the Western Associated Press mem-
bers. now that they have had an opportunity
to calmly study the bylaws and the terms Of |
the contract which they signed with the asso-
citation. l. that the only penalty for the non
fulflment OF the contract falls upon the m en- |
Der signing. while the association. as the first |
party to the contract may violate II with in- |
punity. Such contracts have been pronounced |
Illegal By the courts.
In addition to these things which are excit- |
ing 90 much criticism. there has arisen within |
the association dissatisfaction with tho on |
GERS over question which comes much nearer |
home. Following the basslsss and criminal |
rumors which were circulated that the United |
Press Was going out OF business. several Of It's
weaker members who could not I'm m diAtsly
assure themselves Of its stability. living as
they do remote from this city. applied to the |
Associated Press TO be supplied with
news. In order 20 protect themselves The
Executive Committee has shown q disposition
10 admit all these TO the same standing In the
Western Associated Press IS the old members
have. against the lAtters protest Under the
bylaws. members have the right to pass upon
application for membership from newspapers
In the same city. and In every case they have
protested against tho admission OF
rival neWspAper TO membarship But I'm Iha