The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-20

New York, April 2O.-Members
Of the Associated Press met at the
Waldorf Astoria hotel here today
to elect five directors, four advisory
boards, and auditing and nominat-
ing committees. :,
At a luncheon in connection with
the meeting. President Frank B.
Noyes of the Washington Star.
proposed a toast to President Will
son, saying, IN offering a toast,
the formal wish for health is u.s.
ually of little significance. With
us this year, in our only toast it is
our custom to offer. the case is
profoundly different for, very earn
estly. very hopefully and very sin
cerely We drink to the health. the
full restored health, OF the presi-
dent Of the United States.
Attacks Critics.
Every season of the year is an
open season for the critics of the
Associated Press said Mr.. Noyes.
We are accustomed through
long experience TO the railings
against our service Of the unin-
formed, the nutoriety seeker and
the common or garden liar, who
charges bias or suppression in the
report of the Associated Press.
Every newspaper man, every
informed person, knows how pre-
posterously untrue these charges
are-whoever may make them To
you, | need not explain that our
very organization was in response
to the demand of the newspapers
that their news service should be
owned and controlled by themselves
and themselves alone; that it
should be heir servant and not
their master; that it should give an
adequate and truthful record of the
days world happenings, free from
bias and from opinion or prop
I Uganda. While laying no claim to
lnerrantcy, our service has been
slngularly successful in attaining
the objects We sought and the line
by Associated Press has become
hallmark of accuracy, whether the
event recorded is the election of a
president, the signing of an armi-
suce, decision of the supreme
court or the death OF the pope.
Agree A. p. Is Fair.
while at all times, this open
season continues, every four years
comes special period of tribula-
uons. When the presidential cam
pagn rolls around, every candidate
LOT the nomination and the result
ing presidential candidates and
every manager of every such can
alaa8e hnds clear evidence in our
,spoft OF bias against every candi-
a.e mentoned-until after the
eectl0n and then all agree that the
associated Press has been con-
sHcuousiy fair. This has been our
oAperlence in the past and there is
every Indication that the present
~mpalgn will be no exception"
Mr. NoyeS explained that while
sesefyone OF the candidates will
ave tne support of individual
@enoers. the Associated Press will
: puuhue serenely Indifferent as to
me outcome of the nominating con-
seh,ions and elections, contenting
"I ~seii TO supplying its members
w.. wv tne news as it happens. play
ms no favorites and furnishing no
,,, What Service Means.
n. lne report OF the Associated
ess does not grow, or simply
ue oo into beng without effort -
"auaaeo Mr., Noyes. Every line,
sls i,s wore is the product of an
s.s'aaal sS worker OF whom hun
IMs a,' toi! and adventure daily to
bappy bppiy . iaif picture oil the world S
appenihss. aa, Every one OF you know
- the bottom. these charges
,,,o o,S are charges against our
l.!hoaS l.ws workers-if we are de-
sssa s-ass the betrayers. who, if
n ., cnarges are true. are recreant
hen. We nave piaceo Il
All 'oe know them. you know them
hii,n.n s.'islon chiefs, bureau chiefs,
ons,a correspondents, reporters,
hn, working urelessly. faith
ay.s .esmoently, intelligently.
z As w Know that these men are
Mr t OF the earth, the pride OF
,ni,;pp profession and neither your
orsaao l nor mine can be fitly ex-
- on an occasion uf this sort