Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-12
PROUD OF THE: SERVICE
Great Satisfaction Among the Associated
Press Members
A Position Far in Advance 0f That
Ever Before Held by Newv-
gathering Organization.

CHICAGO, December lit cannot have
ESCAPED public attention that during the
PAST year there has been . persistent and
naHgnant endeavor on the part Of q few
New York papers to discredit the Asso-
ciated Press. Day after day 1t has been
asserted that the Associated Press was
falling In pieces; that 1t was bankrupt; that
each months business showed a deficit:
that it's news service was unreliable, and
frequently behind time; that there was
widespread dissatisfaction among it's men,
bers. To those who know the facts these
statements only furnished fresh evidence
Of the desperate plight into which the
unfortunate United Press papers found
themselves. 1t was well known that many
Of those who were most clamorous in their
praise Of the United Press and most So
licitous for the welfare OF the Associated
Press papers were at the same moment
applicants for admission to the Associated
Press, and in some cases were offering
large bonuses for such admissions.
1.-The motives which inspired this cam
paign of libel and falsehood are easily
discoverable. The prime movers in the
cOnspiracy-two New York editors-ware
formerly conspicuous as Associated Press
officials. They used the organization for
their personal advantage. imposing a heavy
tax upon all the other papers Of tho ma
tion. so that they could get their own
news services for a nominal rate, and
finally when this was no longer possible
because of a revolt they set about disrupt
ing the organization of which they were
the trusted officers. How they were given
large blocks Of United Press stock and
how they then secretly connived to push
the fortunes of this rival concern, while
they were yet members Of the executive
committee Of the Associated Press, is a
disgraceful story. with which most intelli-
lists CO.., Tx a
be impossible to answer in detail all Of
the falsehoods which these very fertile
people can invent.
1T is. perhaps. enough to say that the
Associated Press holds today position in
comparably in advance Of that ever held
before by news-gathering organization,
that 1t includes In its membership all the
papers of consequence in the nation except
a small coterie on the Atlantic seaboard
that during the past year It has taken into
its membership an average OF three United
Press papers week and has lost none;
that 1t is upon most satisfactory business
basis, its receipts exceeding its expendi-
lures every week; that there is no discon-
tent but on the other hand it's members
are proud of its news service, which is
immeasurably superior to any the United
Press have ever offered; that it's directors
and officers are working In perfect har-
mony, and are all loyal to the trust re-
posed in them.
1.-The latest assertion that the general
manager Is at odds with the board of di-
rectors, and therefore purposes resigning,
Is quite as false as any that preceded it,
'As to settlement on q business basis
repeated overtures for adjustment ha We
come from the United Press during the
past six months but the officers Of the AS
sociated Press have wisely rejected them
because they did not wish to assume obli-
cations that would surely have proven
insupportable.
MELVILLE E. STONE,
General Manager the Associated Press. >