Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-04-24

achieve fighting side Dy 6lue Win the
most gallant allies that men ever had.
I'm this strugge we are under the
leadership Of q really great man and
greatly will we support him.
Il give you the health OF the Pres1-
dent of the United States--Woodrow
Wilson,"
Mr. Stones "self-sacriace."
Mr.. ochs dwelt in part upon Mr.. Stones
devotion to the Associated Press and his
self-sacrifice in refusing tempting offers
to take other positions.
81 emphasize the much abused word
tself-sacridce,' for in the case OF Melville
E. Stone and his relation to the Associat-
ed Press it is applicable in its true Sig
niflcance," he said HE might have been
captain of industry. banker OF great
repute, an important member OF Presi-
dents cabinet or an ambassador extraor-
binary and minister plenipotentiary at one
of the chief courts in Europe. And who
knows but that had he been the latter
this worlds calamity might have been
averted? 1 am not indulging in flight
Of imagination.
II also know that great publisher Of
fered him a substantial fortune to under
take the management Of his affairs, ana
this was one of many similar seductive
offers. But they offered Melville E. Stone
no temptation. He was welded to his
idoLthe Associated Press-for he wor-
ships it. dreams of 1t, sand 1t occupies all
his thoughts during his waking hours.
He chersnes 1t, he nourishes 1t, he sur
fers for it, and truly spiritualizes it. His
work for the Associated Press Is 10 him
congenial employment and in it he real
ICES every good mans highest ambition
public service. He gives the cause the
best that is in him: in fact, gives him.
self wholly. His personality inspires the
whole organization from top to bottom
Called Gather Of Associated Press"
Mr.. Lawson was introduced by Mr..
Noyes as "the father Of the Associated
Press" who selected Mr.. Stone to take
charge OF the service at the time OF its
organization.
"a little more than twenty-five years
ago." said Mr.. Noyes, the press OF this
brought into subservieney to three men
who controlled the then dominant
news gathering and distributing ageh-
cy. Two of these men were not news
paper men, and the whole scheme was
one for pecuniary profit.
"In that crisis group Of western
publishers, in white heat OF revolt
against this proposed servitude, re-
country, and they alone, should control
their news service, and put themselves
under the leadership of Victor F. Law
son..
He turned to MS FORMER partner,
Melville Stone. to take charge of the new
news service and of the fight to estab-
lish and maintain II"
When He Made His srDiscovery."
Mr.. Lawson. who spoke briefly. said:
+. ct was about fifty years ago that 1
discovered Stone, a happy achieve
ment. I use the phrase advisedly. for
out Of the years of the half century has
come to me the longest intimate friend
ship Of my life. Believe me, friends,
Melville E. Stone wears we'll"
Gen. Taylor spoke hun,orously for the
Rnown pa NJ seons ss'o years. haVf
have known him in years of adversely
and in years of prosperity. I have
lived long enough to know that we
should strike an average when we con-
friends and associates. That is the
only acid test. and Mr.. Stone has stood
it nobly. In his twenty-five years as
g gen Shown Initiative efeieney inteee
rity and industry. !. He has clearly
proven that he is the best all-round
manager of press associations, we have
ever known in this country. and when
! say that it means the best in the
world.
vs. Mr.. Stone Responds.
Mr.. Stone, acknowledging the presen-
tation of the gifts. said in part:
81 thank you. l should be untrue to
myself If these were not the first words
to be uttered by me on this occasion
mo one could be the recipient of such
a testimonial without deep sense of
pride. But. equally. no one could un-
dergo such an ordeal without some
sense of embarrassment. No one is
more DESTROYS of, enjoying your good
opinion than I, but; also; no one is
more doubtful of his right to enjoy
+acfin,nnjpl.
cit has been said that I have enjoyed
the association of a very fine company
of men. No one knows this better than
I do. 1t was something like twenty
three or twenty-five years ago. when
we were engaged in that contest to
establish a free, self-governing news
gathering organization, that my friend.
Whitelaw Reid, who was then con-
testing the ground with our organiza-
ton. advised me that it would be ut
terly impossible to ever establish a
naws-gathering organisation that
would survive one generation, and I
I, believed that was true If the forms
of organization then existent. and that
had been existent heretofore, were to
be continued. But I did believe thor
oughly that an organization co-opera-
tive in its character and resting down
securely upon It's membership, and not
an organization for money making, and
not an organization under the control
of any one or two or three men-I did
believe that such an organization
might endure"
Il have had a delightful time" he
said, in conclusion. 7 have enjoyed
my work. have had some share
and / am very glad of tin a work
that I believe has a great deal of pub
lie value. I believe that in a self-gov-
erninc people. an honest news service
is Of the highest moment, and I am
perfectly willing and glad to rest my
future fame, whatever it may be, upon
the work that in conjunction-not
alone, and not by any means with the
Same degree Of masterful conduct that
has been spoken Of here--upon the
work, whatever 1t may be, I have done
to contribute to that end. It would be
monument enough for any man."
I'M. E. S.-His Book"
Each member present received a copy
of I'M. q. S'-His Book" In its intro
ductory note there appears the follow
ing resolution of the board. of directors