The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-20
MR.MUNSEY BUYS
2 NEWSPAPERS
Baltimore 'Ameri-
can and Star From Gen.
Felix Agnus.
FORMER is 147 YEARS OLD
Star Is to Merge With News
as Three Afternoon News
papers Are Not Needed.

Special Despatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
BALTIMORE. Nov. 19.-Gen. Felix Ag-
nus. publisher of the Baltimore Ameri-
can and the Baltimore Star anpounced
to-day that these newspapers have
been purchased by Frank A. Munsey,
owner of THE New YORK HERALD. THE
sun. the EUening Telegram. the BaIti-
more Neics and other publications, and
will pass under his control Deem
Der I.
Mr.. Munsey announces that he Will
merge the Star with the Ne,cs on the
day he assumes control, for the reason
that with the present costs of news
paper publishing three afternoon
newspapers cannot be maintained on
profitable basis in this city He will
continue the publication of the Anleri-
can as a broad visioned newspaper
standing for righteousness, decency
and honesty in all things"
older Than the Government.
The Baltimore American, older than
the Government of the United States IT.
self is the second oldest newspaper IN
America, Among the many distinctions
of its iiustrious 147 years were the first
publication of THE Star Spangled Ban
ner." the publication in advance Of any
other American newspaper of news Of
the signing of the preliminary articles
of peace in Paris following the American
Revolution and exclusive news OF the
Thn az xxsnD n IL
Journalism was success in the manage
ment of the American, and George
Washington was the principal advertiser
in the newspapers first issue. Inc
A nericar is a morning newspaper.
The star, an evening newspaper. was
started by Gen. Agnus in 1908 and -
published in the American Building. IL
was an immediate success.
Regarding the purchase Of the Apieri-
can and the star Mr.. Munsey Issued the
following statement;
In another column of this morn
ing's issue OF the Baltimore AmeT'-
can Gen. Felix Agnus announces the
sale of the Baltimore American and
Of his evening newspaper. the star,
10 me. His statement amply covers
the transaction. 1t only rsfnains FOR
me to say word looking to the
future.
The star will be consolidated with
the Baltimore NeiCs on Wednesday,
December 1, the day on which both
the Baltimore American and the star
officially come into my hands. There
IL no call in Baltimore for three even
ing newspapers. With present costs
of newspaper publishing three even
ing papers cannot be sustained on
profitable basis in Baltimore. and
needless waste is n crime. This is my
reason for merging the star with the
Baltimore Netcs.
With regard to the Baltimore
American 1 can say nothing more
worth while, pertaining to its future
under my ownership. than that pri-
marily II will be a newspaper.
The Baltimore American will not
be narrow vlsioned partisan news
paper 1t will stand for righteousness
and decency and honesty in all
things. In issues involving national
policy II viii support the side whose
stand reasons out n the soundest.
Announced In "Americhns'
Gen. Agnus's announcement OF the
sale Of the newspapers will be made In
tomorrow mornings issue OF the Amer
icdn. In II he says:
On December !, 1920. the Balti-
more American and the Baltimore
star will pass under the control Of
Frank A. Munsey. Mr.. Munsey is the
most powerful publisher in America.
and he has the fine sporting quality
that goes with high enterprise
I have realized for some time ,hat
this property must go into the larger
realm OF expenditure, and have been
convinced that at my age the task
should be handed to younger men.
My largest satisfaction is that the
American is to pass into tlfe control
OF a sterling American who knows
Baltimore and has shown his faith .
in our people by investing largely
here. lie has made the Baltimore
News one of the best papers ia the
land.
The Baltimore American was born
August 20, 1773. Up to that time 'he
newspapers Of Philadelphia and Aunap-
oils were the sole media OF information
for Baltmoreans William Goddard
then editor or the Pennsylvania Cbrou-
icie, camc TO Bal, moro. on = visit IN
1913 and was urged to undertake the
Coryfrpef on Fourth poo,