New-York tribune., 1918-04-24
Associated Press
Pays Tribute to
Melville E. Stone
Members Reward rs Years
of Service With Liberty
Loan Bonds

Newspaper publishers and editors
from all sections of the country, in
New York for the annual conventions
Of the American Newspaper Publish
ers' Association and The Associated
Press, united at the yearly luncheon
Of the latter organization yesterday in
paying tribute to Melville E. Stone,
who for more than twenty-five years
has been its general manager. The
luncheon was held at the Waldorf
Astoria, where the conventions are in
session.
Fifteen hundred copies of souve
mir volume, entitled "M. E. S., His
Book" were distributed to The Asso-
ciated Press members present, and a
special de luxe copy, "illustrated" with
twenty-five Liberty bonds of the 81 900
denomination. was presented to Mr..
Stone. The book contained expressions
inent newspaper owners Of the excel
lence of MIR. Stones administration Of
Associated PPress affairs since he as
sumed its management in 1893 and re-
viewed the growth Of the organization
under his control.
Frank B. Noyes, of "The Washington
STAR" president of The Associated
Press, in presenting the volume to Mr..
Stone, referred to the patriotic SER
vice rendered the government by the
organization and urged all it's men,
hasten the victory of American arms.
"In this world crisis, it is but nat
ural that the strain Of anxiety should
be shown in impatience over the delay
in bringing our great man power into
the conflict" he said. In our impa- :
tience and eagerness to be of help to
our. suffering friends, let US also be
equally solicitous that we aid those
to whom is intrusted the preparation
for the great part this nation must
take in the struggle for world freedom.
Let US not hamper them by destructive
or ill-informed criticism 1t is to no
one of US that the nation has commit
ted the command of its army and navy.
| Our part is Loyalty to help the COM
! mander in chief.
Let US remember that in the vast
number of appointments made mis-
takes are inevitable. Duties have been
assigned to incompetent hands in some
cases, and, indeed, our own experience
| has been that duties vital to us have
/ been intrusted to hands governed by a
would meet with swift reckoning
This, however, is not the time for con-
troversy."
Adolph S. Ochs, publisher of "Thc
New York Times" reviewed the de.
velopment of the Associated Press ser
vice under the management of Mr.
Stone, whom he called "the father OF
the A. p" Praising the organization
record for accuracy and fairness, Mr.
n,l, hat {1,1k
plified best by the fact that the cost
Of libel suits to the organization dur
ing the last twenty-five years has beer
actually less than the amount expend
ed for lead pencils.
Victor f. Lawson, proprietor of "Ths
Chicago Daily News" and former part
ner in the ownership of that paper
with Mr.. Stone, and General Charlie.
II. Taylor, publisher of "The Bostor
Globe" were others who spoke il
praise Of Mr.. Stones achievements
the Agencc Hayas, of Paris, praisce
the services rendered by the American
press in the interest of the Allies an(
paid personal tribute to Mr.. Stone.
work for that cause.
"My masters, thank you" said Mr.
Stone, in reply. "What has been don
has been with the help, the invaluab.
ncip, OF inc llneSI DOafu or director
that ever sat anywhere and with the 20
operation of rs gallant a set Of en-
p!oyes as can be found anywhere. Their
as been and is great deal of criti
cism Of The Associntcd Press. Some j
worthy, much is born of ignorance an
Il very small fraction is malign. Blu
the organization was founded on tn
theory that its integrity can be main
! tanned only by criticism, and so it i
welcome"
Tho nrincinal hnaineas ~ Tho A.