The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-20
LOVING CUP IN NEwsPArERDOM.
The Associated Press Holds Its An
nauI Session

Chicago, May 13-The annual meeting
of the Associated Press was held in Re-
cital hall, at the Auditorium, to-day. The
attendance was very large.
In calling the members TO order, Presi-
dent Lawson congratulated them on the
outcome of the contest with the United
Press. saying they should continue 20
demonstrate by their wisdom that they
were worthy of the high estate to which
they had come.
The board of directors, in their report,
stated that a year ago they declared the
Associated Press had made great PROS
ress toward the accomplishment of its or
lglnal purpose-"the control and admins
tratlon of the gathering and news.
distributing business of the country by
the newspapers of the country" 1t was
their privilege and pleasure now to justify
the claim that the progress of the pre-
ceding year had its complement in the
achievements of the past three months
and to announce that the idea had been
accomplished. The Associated Press now
included in its loyal membership all the
established newspapers of the country,
with comparatively few exceptions. 1t was
a matter for mutual congratulation that
the contest that had for nearly four years
divided the press of the country had been
brought to a conclusion which command
ed general acceptance as permanently as
surfing the best interests of the whole
American press.
The Associated Press met it's enlarged
responsibility with a membership of 6S1,
a yearly income of about $1,7O0OO0, a leas-
cd wire system of 1884 miles, and the
daily receipt and delivery at each of the
more important offices of over sc, 600 words.
The following directors were unanimous
ly reelected: Clayton McMichael of the
Philadelphia North American, Frank b.
Noyes of the Washington Star Frederick
Driscoll of the st. Paul Pioneer Press, and
John Norris of the New York World.
The following were elected on the ad-
visory board of the southern division: H.
H. Cabaniss of the Atlanta Journal A. r.
Picket of the Memphis Scimitar, A. S.
Ochs of the Chattanooga Times, J. H.
Baskette of the Nashville Banner, and
Page NJ. Baker of the New Orleans Times
Democrat.
On motion. it was declared the sense of
the gathering that the board of directors
see If remedy cannot be found to prevent
the Western Union Telegraph Company
from furnishing news bulletins to saloons
and individuals who do not publish a news
paper, or if they do. get no regular tele-
graphic service. The association then adj
journed.
The fourth annual banquet of the Asso-
ciated Press was given at Kingley'S this
evening, the association itself being the
hosts as well as the guests this year.
There We're 40 members present every
seat being occupied. year ago one large
table arranged in the form of a horseshoe
was ample. This year the same form was
used, but it was necessary to have an adj
dition in the center extending the full
length of the room
After the first course the loving cup was
passed around by General Manager Mel
Vile e. Stone, who announced the name
of each member as he drank, the mention
of the name of all the better known mem
bers being greeted with applause.
Just before the coffee. st. Clair McKelvy
of the Brooklyn Eagle arose and said
there We're many new faces present. They
were more than welcome. They belonged
to the present and the future. The old
guard proposed to attest their apprecia-
ton, esteem and affection of exemplars of
past services, to be an Inspiration and an
incentive for the future. He then, on be-
half of the old guard, presented President
Lawson with a silver service, General
Manager Stone a silver loving cup, Assis-
tant General Manager Diehl a gold watch,
and each of the present and former di-
rectors a silver medal, all of the gifts
containing appropriate inscriptions ac-
knowledging services rendered. The con-
clusion of his speech was greeted with
cheers.
President Lawson, General Manager
Stone and Assistant General Manager
Diehl were somewhat surprised, and
made very brief acknowledgement, re-
turning their sincere thanks for the ex-
preston of regard and confidence.
Henry Watterson spoke for the direc-
tors, expressing their thanks. He was
thankful for the peace, and believed that
it would be a lasting and prosperous
peace. At last there was an Associated
Press, and he hoped it would endure nine
ty years, the life of most of the contracts.
(Applause).
Clark Howell of the Atlanta Constitution
spoke briefly. He believed that the news
papers now had an organization which
would strengthen as it grew and last for
ever, making it unnecessary for any MEM
Der now in fellowship TO join any other
news association whatever. The broad and
liberal spirit manifested by the manage
ment toward its late opponents would pre-
vent internal dissensions and enable it to
overcome every future difficulty as it had
the serious ones of the past few weeks. A
magnificent structure had been erected,
and the new members Joined in the feeling
of pride of the old ones, and with them
were ready to burn incense to the efficien-
cy of the Associated Press
Col Cowardin of the Richmond Dispatch
was introduced and after "forgiving them
ALI expressed his great gladness at being
present and "one of them"