The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-04
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
Continued from Page 81

hensive contracts with the largest and
most important news-gathering associ-
atoms OF Europe give 10 The Associated
Press unlimited facilities. Try to con-
ceive what all this means-the enormous
expense involved, the unceasing and un-
tiring vigilance OF the Associations al
lies, and you may the better understand
the reason that the words are well chosen
which ascribe 10 the Association sys-
tenn OF magnitude unparalleled in the
history OF news gathering.
Apropos OF expenses incurred and the
unique character of the system, the
wriler, while in the general Office OF The
Associated Press recently. had his atten-
tion drawn 10 little bunch OF manifold
matter that lay on the top OF desk at
his side. This bunch OF manifold prob
ably did not exceed in size eighteen
inches squrae. 1t represented the net re-
sit OF The Associated Press for the month
OF April, 1895. 1t was typewriter as
matter OF course. Upon inquiring how
many words II contained, the informa-
tion was given that IL consisted OF mil
lion and q half OF words and represented
a cost OF over Sf00, ,000 Few readers of
the daily newspapers realize the tremen-
dous outlay and what little there Is TO
show for II at the end OF the month or
year.
rhe same Is true OF every large metro
politan journal At the end of the year
they simply have their files containing
copies OF their paper Of every day curing
the year; yet tho news contained therein
has cost the Press OF which the paper Is
a member about million and half dol
lars, with nothing 10 show for 1t except
little roll of manifold and a small file
OF newspapers.
To touch upon one OF the details OF
this greet system, though by no means
the least, the admirably arranged and per-
fected system OF pneumatin tubes for
transmitting messages, ETC., TO the vari-
Gus editorial rooms OF the members,
must not be overlooked.
Endless trouble, ,aggravating and annoy
Ing beyond endurance, had been eAreri-
enced for years in getting matter deliv-
cred quickly and promptly from both
Associated and city press 10 their clicnts'
rooms. In Chicago the long-suhering
victims seemed to have endured uawont-
ed hardship in this direction.
The messenger boy is doubtless a much
abused, slandered and generally scoffed'
at creature. At times he seems TO be
largely responsible for his reputation
the olbiquity cast upon his gentle and
restful profession. But, responsible or
, not responsible. maligned or rightiully
dumped upon," manifold copy, report
crs' copy, important and non-imporlant
matter, were all alike delayed.
10 remedy this worldwide condition
the country was ransacked for q Pied
Piper of Hamelin, as 1t were. He was
found In the person OF Addison c. Thom-
as OF Chicago. the present superintendent
OF the Central Division OF The Associated
Press. The choice was wisely made. Hav-
ing surveyed the group OF messenger boys
Mr.. Thomas concluded be could improve
upon the article, and though the tempta-
tion 10 play upon words should be resist
ed, yet as q recorder OF history the writer
taa fkx.< a tlro
tie friends OF Hamelin. were literally
piped away, and today the most complete
system of pneumatic tubes that has ever
been devised connects the Press Associs--
tion with the newspapers.
Though IL was q serious problem to
solve, Mr.. Thomas was given full leeway
so far as expense was concerned. After
extensive and thorougn research and
study, famiiiarizing himself with all that
had been done with pneumatic tubes both
at home and abroad, the present system
was planned and put into practical op-
eration, and today stands without SUI
perior. The careful and intelligent man
ner in which all of the details OF this com
plicated undertaking are watched, he
difficulties and obstacles successfully over
come, not only redou nds to the credit OF
Mr.. Momas, but Is proof OF the progress
siye and modern character OF the press or
ganiZatlon.
In Chicago the tubes are laid under
some Of the principal streets, running
from the Association's g rooms in the Vest
ern Union building at Clark and Jackson
streets, diverging at intersect'ng streets
TO the various points of destination.
While the scientific and technical points
Of this system are varied and interesting
to the expert, Ii will perhaps be sufficient
to say here, for genera, information that,
with the aid Of these transmitting
tubes, news-matter that is received in the
telegraph operating rooms of The Assooi-
ated Press is, upon receipt, instantly
transferred to the various newspaper
Offices that are members OF the Associ-
alton.
For instance, q great calamity occurs
say Mississippi steamer destroyed by
fire, the occurrence accompanied by great
loss OF life. Either division or local
agent is Immediately dispatched TO the
scene OF disaster or the nearest point
where reliable Information can be obtain
ed As quickly as an intelligent and ac-
curate understanding of the occurrence
can be secured a condemned report is hur-
ired to the nearest telegraph Office re-
ceived by the Associations OWE operators
at the general Office and manifold copies
written out on typewriters directly from
the wire. These sheets are without delay
put into pneumatic tubes leading 10 the
transferring room below, and thence
thrust quickly into little tube box cal
len n carrier. lEls carrier 1S MADE OF
flexible leather with an inner spiral frame
TO keep ii in proper form that 1t may
readily travel round the curves Each
end has a band of soft fur or wool 10
make il fit snug.y. Not infrequently in
sending reports OF this nature, or indeed,
OF any important event, members OF the
Association actually have the first sheets
from the reporters or correspondents re-
port that have gore through the operat-
ors hands. the genearl Office OF Thc AS
socia;ed Press and pneumatic tubes oil
without delay or hitch, while the account
is rapidly being written wherever the
representatives may have found con-
venient place TO use his pencil.
IL may be that point or two about
telegraphy, It's capabilities and possihli.
ties, could he discovered that Mr.. Thomas
and his keen and able assistant Mr..
Boughan-in charge Of the telegraph de-
psrtment- are net familiar with. but it
is to be doubted. Certainly no institu-
tion in existence has greater need of ex-
pert and able men In the operation OF
the various departments; and the staff in
charge at The general offices in Chicago