The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-23
Nebraskan Delivers Address To Notable Gathering of
 Newspaper Men
ABSOLUTE |MPART|AL|TY
 IN NEWS IS APPLAUDED
MT. Bryan Thanks the Associated Press For Past Treatment and Proposes New Style of Independent
 Journalism.

New York April 22.-There was not able gathering of editors and publishers at the Waldorf-Astoria tonight, the oc- casion being a joint banquet of the Asso- ciated Press and the American Newspaper Publishers association, both of which are holding their annual meetings in this city Every state and territory of the United States was represented by those. who have earned distinction in the news paper profession, and their guests includ- ed William Jennings Bryan, United States Senator Philander c. Knox of Pennsyl- vania and others of public influence.
 At the presidents table were Gen. Charles H. Taylor of the Boston Globe, the toastmaster; Herman Ridder, editor and publisher of the New York Staats zeitung and president of the American Newspaper Publishers association; Frank B. Moves of the Chicago Record-Herald and president of the Associated Press; Senator Knox, MT. Bryan, Bishop Fred erick Burgess of the Episcopal diocese of Long Island; Rabbi Stephen s. Wise of the Free synagogue, Patrick Francis Mur- phy, officials of the two organizations and others.
 MT. Ridder began the evenings for malties by proposing the health of the President of the United States. The toast was drunk standing, while the orchestra played the Star spangled Banner. Brief speeches were made by General Taylor and Rabbi Wise.
 Bryan's Speech.
 Mr. Bryan, who had received a cordial greeting when he entered the dining hall, was given another kindly expression as he tose to speak. MT. Bryan spoke for some moments in humorous line of thought, and then saia;
 T appreciate the compliment which is paid me by those who have had the ar engagements of this banquet. The Associ- ated Press is a very important factor in the spread of that information which is necessary for the formation of opinion, and in casting about for subject, noth- ing more has occurred to me than the Bible passage, Know the truth and the truth shall make you free
 Tt should be the purpose of the Asso- ciated Press to convey to its numerous subscribers the unbiased, uncolored truth. 1 recognize that this is extremely diff ficult and that with even the best of in- tentions those who report interviews, con yentions and events will unintentionally infect their own opinions, and yet abso- lute impartiality must be the ideal at which the Associated Press aims. You furnish news to republican papers, demo- cratic papers, papers identified with other parties and to independent papers, and the readers of these Associated Press re- ports represent every phase ot opinion.
 Independent Press.
 ssYour association is not a party organ. It does not do editorial work; it is not the champion of any cause or the advocate of any man. It is to tell the truth about Congress, executive session, municipal matters and correctly report that which is given to it for publication.
 .lt cannot guarantee its readers against mistakes. for it's agents are human; put it can correct mistakes when they arc found out and admonish its representa- lives to be cautious It does not lurnish the headlines which are often misleading, but it can see to it that the text IS free from intentional errors and that those who trust to it's accuracy shall not De deceived.
 q take this opportunity to express my appreciation of the treatment that mas been accorded me. The assoclatlon mas asked me for advance copies of great many more speeches that have been able to give it, and in asking for an advance copy it has furnished the best proof that it wanted to treat me with fairness. Through the Associated Press l have been able to get my ideas and arguments be- fore the readers of the republican papers, and I have been less concerned about the editorial comments of republican papers than about the correctness Of the news reports.
 Ripe For Experiment.
 
 "As the years go by and as the circula- tion and advertising patronage increases, the papers>show an increasing inclination toward political independence. In view Of this journalism it seems to me that the time is ripe for an experiment.
 If the proprietor wants to conduct non-partisan paper, and If the readers want to subscribe for non partisan paper, why would not both proprietor and reader be better satisfied with a paper which represented the news impartially in it's news columns and then give to each party representation on it's editorial page? if for instance, a big metropolitan paper wants to become really independent why should 1t not employ representative of each of the parties to furnish signed edi- torials on political questions? Such a paper would appeal to all parties, and especially to those who are anxious to know both sides of every public question. Is it not an experiment worth trying?
 'The so-called independent paper Is very apt to become partisan just before ' the election. This may suit the proprietor if he is anxious to make his paper a party organ, but it is sure to disappoint those who differ from him and who have become subscribers because of the claim Of independence. If the proprietor hon estly desires to take his paper out of 3politics and make it purely a newspaper the bipartisan plan enables him to carry out his purpose.
 "Such an editorial policy would be en- tirely in harmony with the news service