The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-23

NEW YORK, April 22.-Frank B. Moves, president of the Associated Press. in introducing President Cool | idge to the annual luncheon of the as sociation here today took occasion to explain the ideals and the methods of the press service which he heads Mir. Moves said:
 Mfr. President. Ladies and Gentlmen :
 Il hope l may be pardoned if l take advantage of this occasion to again ex- plain exactly what The Associated Press is.
 The reason for the existence of the Associated Press is found in the deter imitation of the newspapers composing its membership-some 200 in all-- to have a world news service of their own. their servant and not their mas ter this news service to be nOn-p partisan in the broadest sense. one that has no bias whatever. political. religious or economic. that should be as accurate as possible and that should be compre- hensive in the lights of decency a news service whose sole mission is to supply it's members and members alone. with news-not views; news service that should not constitute itself judge or jury. prosecuting attorney or attor- ney for the defense but content itself with action as an impartial reporter"
 "An UndefiIed Service"
 This determination is based on the belief of it's members that the prosper ity of their newspapers and indeed the safety of the public itself is founded on an undefiled news service, for nothing will more surely destroy any worthwhile newspa pcr-whether large or small-than to forfeit the confidence and respect of it's. readers by giving a biased or untruthful report of world happenings.
 1t was not believed by the founders of The Associated Press and the course of time has brought no change in this belief. that the desired ends could be obtained through privately owned. profit-making agency, controlled by small group of owners.
 ITO secure the sort of service re- quired. cooperative. non profit mak- ing association wac >{ormed. the mem- bership heinz confined to the represen- tatives of the associated newspapers
 Two Contributions
 The newspaper members make two cOntributiOns-one that of their local news. another money assessment cov- ering their equitable proportion of the expense of collecting and distributing tke news of the world, including the local news contributed by each mem- Der.
 The affairs of the organization are supervised by an elected board of direc- tors. composed of 15 newspapermen, selected from all sections of the coun- try, trustees for the common interests of the membership. These directors are obligated to see that the report measures up, within human limitations, to the ideals l have outlined.
 The directors. however. take no part in the daily direction of the report acting rather as a body of censors, duty they share with every member and indeed with every newspaper reader.
 ''The actual collection and handling of the reports are done by very large staff. world scattered. under the direc- tion of the general manager and in the hands of this staff is placed the honor of The Associated Press as through them we either live up to or betray our ideals.
 News Not Self Collecting
 II believe. and every member of the board believes, that the work of this staff is one of the wonders of the world News does not collect itself; hu- man endeavor, human sacrifice, human brain are prodigally expended in order that you and l may be promptly and accurately informed of the daily hap penings of the world.
 ''The prime instruction to every As sociated Press man is that his report of every event must above all be ac- curate and unbiased.
 "These men are faithful to their trusts and we know it-know it beyond peradventure. for it is vital to us as