The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-10
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
The Reply OF Mr.. Amos Pinchot 20 the
New York ''Tlmrs."

The Reply OF Mr. Amos Ptnch0t % the
New York ''Times."
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN--Sir! The
subjoined letter in reply to an editorial
article In defence OF the Associated Press
and in condemnation of it's critics was
sent to the New York Times on March
Z. but has not been made public by that
newspaper:
To-day's Ttnes publishes an editorial
over a column long defending the Asso-
ciated Press as to the indictments against
the editors OF the Masses and attacking
myself and others who Insist that there
should be an investigation Of the Asso-
| clated Press"
The Times says that the Associated
Press could not possibly color the news.
because II serves all kinds Of newspapers
--"Republcan. Democratic, Bull Moose.
Independent &c."-so that II II was not
impartial "there you'd be a deafening up
roar and tumult al over the country"
do not think that this 10 either an Inn
pressive argument or q fair statement Of
the case.
As matter Of fact there has been q
tumult OF protest against Associated Press
news coloring throughout the country.
And with this protest newspaper owners
| who are members OF the Associated Press
and dependent upon II for their informa-
ton are In many instances heartily SYM
| pathetic. Within the last month ! have
talked with a number Of editors OF news
papers that are members Of the Asso-
clated Press. They assured me that the
/ charges OF suppression and misrepre-
sentstion made by the Masses are we'll
within the truth. They, each OF them.
expressed the sincere hope that there
would be a searching investigation which
would result In a change of policy.
d. These gentlemen. however. are not free
TO state their opinion OF the Associated
Press openly. either In their papers or
otherwise. For. under the bylaws Of the
Associated Press. they would at once be
subject to fines or other discipline. More
over. Section OF Article II. provides that
the corporation shall have the right to
expel a member FOR any conduct on his
part or on the part OF any one In his en-
ploy or connected with his newspaper
| which In its absolute discretion 1t shall
deem OF such a character az to be preju-
dlcial to the interest and welfare OF tho
corporation and Its members or to Justify
such expulsion. The action OF the men,
hers OF the corporation In such regar I'd
shall be final and there shall be no right
OF appeal or review OF such action"
THE SUN to-day reprints an editorial
from the Peoria Star, which describes
how membership In tho Associated Press
IL restricted. 1t says: Membership 10
restricted In each city. and no new mem
Der can be taken In except BY consent OF
every member in the city belonging to
the trust. In some places membership Is
held at an exorbitant figure running UP
into hundreds OF thousands of dollars
II can readily be seen that this Is
the worst possible monopoly. because the
newspapers belonging to II are Obliged
to print what the management d. sires,
and they are prohibited from crticising
any Of It's acts"
When. In addition TO this. We note that
the ultimate control OF the Associated
10 IN ha nf no
newspapers belonging to II but In its
bond ownership we realize that partial
ity and news coloring can be INDUCED IN
by the Associated Press. even though. as
the Times says all sorts Of newspapers
are served by II.
No newspaper can itself gather all its
news. II must depend on some news
agency for It's information. The Asso-
/ ciated Press Il the only great news pro-
viding agency that serves morning news
papers To the morning newspapers II
is more important than the railroads are
to Industrial organizations For. while
railroads merely transport the product of
industry, the Associated Press both gath
ers and transports the material OF which
. newspapers are made.
The Associated Press II certainly Il
monopoly. II Is monopoly controlling
the distribution OF vital necessity OF
civilization. controlling the price at which
. this necessity shall he sold and IL goes
SIN further than other trusts in monopo-
list!c power. for It exercises an absolute
discrimination as to whom It's products
shall be sold to-
The Times editorial. in denouncins
those who hold that the District Attor-
ney's Office shall not he used by the Asso-
. ciated Press, seems to me to be inclined
10 cover up the real issue. II does not
b mention that two criminal indictments
were brought against Eastman and Young
at,.1 MA tlN.a Al
toou.
In the frst indictment the figure de-
picted as poisoning the reservoir of public
news and labelled THE Associated Press
is alleged 10 refer. as In fact II was
meant to refer. to the Associated Press
I a corporation In a trial under such an
/ indictment there would naturally be ad
mttcd the broadcast evidence upon the
! questions whether the Associated Press
/ colors news and exercises "A moUopolistic
control over the distribution Of infJrma-
I ton 10 the public In a trial upon such
/ an indictment searching investigation
into the policy and organization OF the
/ Associated Press. its attitude toward la
/ Dor and capital. It's control by bond
ownership. sc. would be inevitable.
But IL seems that the Associated Press
IS unwilling 10 appear in court as COM
/ pllinant In such a trial For, just thirty
three days after Eastman and Young were
/ indicted and admitted to 81 900 bail each,
/ Mr., Moves again complained to the Dis
. triCt Attorney, and they were again in
/ dioted This time, however. the figure in
! the cartoon labelled The Associated
/ Press" is alleged TO be II picture OF Mr..
! Nuy-s, and the charge In this indictment
! is not that the Associated Press IL libelled,
! but that Mr.. Noyes personally Is libelled
The Assistant District Attorney in charge
. NJ the case now expresses his intention of
Diminishing the first Indictment, and only