The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-21
GREAT AND GROWING
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WAS NEVER
so PROSPEROUS AS 1T IS NOW.
Its Membership and Revenues Stead
fly Observation-Disclosures OF Direc-
tors and Advisory Boards.

CHICAGO, May 20.-The annual meeting
of the Associated Press was held to-day in
Recital Hall, of the Chicago Conservatory
of Music, Auditorium building, President
Victor F. Lawson in the chair. The attend
ance was large
The report Of the board of directors for
the year ending Dec. 81, 1895. showed that
the membership had grown from ISL to AIS
and the stockholders had increased from 124
to 1885,, The present membership is 45S and
the number of stockholders 40. The
finances had been brought to a most salts
factory condition. The revenues had been
steadily maintained at their maximum, while
the expenses had been reduced. The monthly
margin of excess of receipts over expenses
had not only been maintained since the last
quarter of 1885, but had more than doubled
in amount. AS a result dividend of 10
per cent of the principal OF the advances on
the guarantee fund had been paid. The
board congratulated the membership on the
great progress made during the year toward
the accomplishment Of the original and
proper purpose of the Associated Press-the
control and administration Of the news-gath-
ering and distributing business Ct the coun-
try by the newspapers of the country.
The following directors were unanimously
elected: Three years, Albert j. Barr. Pitts
burg Post; l. Markbreit, Cincinnati volks-
blatt, vice z. H. Purdue. who declined a
reelection; Stephen O1Sfeara, Boston jour-
nal. One year, John Norris. New York
World.
A resolution was unanimously al "a
thanking Mr. Z. II. Purdue and James 3.
Scripps. retiring directors. for diligent, faith
full and intelligent discharge or their duties.
A resolution was adopted by rising vote
expressing the great s3rTo% o. toe ass3fa-
Gen. Felix Agnus offered a resolution,
which was unanimously adopted. recording
the appreciation Of the intelligent, abe and
the association, and especially or It's presl-
dent Victor f. Lawson, whose unselfish and
splendid services have put his felow-mem-
under a lasting debt Of gratitude"
The following advisory boards were
elected: -, ~
Derrick: Arthur Jenkins, Syracuse Herald;
A. p. Langtry, Springfield Union; Foster
Coates, New York Commercial Advertiser;
James Elverson, jr., Philadelphia Inquirer.
Central Division-D. VI. Houser, st. Louis
Globe-Democrat: A Howard Hinkie, Clncln-
natl Commercial Gazette; Harry .. New In
lianapolis Journal; George Thompson. st
Paul Dispatch; e. Rosewater. Omaha Bee.
Southern Divisional. S. Ochs, Chatta-
nooga Times; G. H. Basket, Nashville Ban
M Sfr baker al New S Orleans T.mes-Democrat; ii
H. Cabannise, Atlanta Journal
Western Division-R. G. Campbell, Rocky
Mountain News James es o. H Hoge' gan Fran
Jji H H. w. Scott. Portland oregonian-
ANNUAL BANQUET.
The third annual banquet OF the Asso
ciated press was held tonight in their ban
ouet hall. at Kingsley's The walls Of tn,
| chamber were tastefully decorated witt
Persian tapestries. The tables were ar
ranged in the form of an open square will
| a central extension from the presidents sea
down the open space. Flowers In profusiol
| beautffed the tables and limitations in smi
| lax of telegraph wires made the circuit o
| the board suspended from floral imitation
| OF poles whose bases rested on the tables
| On the ringing Of the immense dinner bell
| reception room and. headed by Presl5en
| Victor +. Lawson and the Hon. Joseph Ne
| dill, marched into the banquet nall Wit
/ an appropriate address of welcome. Presi
| DENT Lawson requested the guests TO fall &c
| and they did so. President Victor Lawso'
| put the loving cup on It's passage. with
| representative newspaper men or the coun
/! try AS sponsor for the cup, President Law
SON detailed Melville Z. Stone, general man
ager and the precious vessel was sent o.
its round among the guests. As each on
| tasted the nectar from the cup Mr.. Stone an
nounced his name and the announcement
| OF each wei known was greeted with AZ
pause.
New Orleans Picayune. and Col John A
| CockeriH were drank standing
After the coffee and other equally invig
Grating things. President Victor K Lawso
introduced the toastmaster. NJ. p. Hand,
whose acceptance of the gavel was met b
! motion for adjournment from Genera
| Manager Stone. but the POSTMASTER refuse
to entertain the motion.
Charles Emory Smith. OF the Philadelphia
Press. was then introduced and made
| very clever speech. Il came here last yea
for the first time. and went away with
great deal Of inspiration. ! came. with 90
/ fhis year because knew ! should get nes
and fresh inspiration. have had t. 70
have all had 4 Ia the glorious needing 20
day. and We have all fe1t . special sens