Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-16
MEL WILLIE T. STONE,
A. P. P.F0UNDER, DIES
Noted American Journalist
Passes Away in New York
at 80 Years.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, February 16.-Melville
E. Stone, for % years general manager
of the Associated Press and for half a
century an outstanding figure in jour-
nalism, died last night at his home,
100 East Seventy-fifth street.
In his eighty-first year, he had been
in failing health for four months.
Death came quietly at $50 pm. With
him were his wife, daughter and a
arterio -Sclerosis.
In 1921 Mr.. Stone retired as general
manager of the Associated Press
because of age end became counselor
and secretary. He served as counselor
till his death.
Career Began Early.
His journalistic career. which began
| when he was 20 years old, Spanned
one of the most vital epochS in news
gathering and distribution and was
closely identified with it. The son Of
a Methodist circuit rider, he was sue
Usher and banker, till at the age of IS
he began his life work in the direc-
ton Of unbiased and accurate Coop
erative news gathering and distribu-
ton.
Tributes to Mr.. Stone were paid after
his death by persons prominent in va
rious fields of activity. There were
references to him as "a true patriot" "
His contribution to journalism was de-
scribed as lone of the greatest monu-
ments an international figure has ever
l1ad."9 Adolph S. Ochs, publisher OF the
New York Times and one of the direc-
tors of the Associated Press, said that
Mr.. Stone, possessing the business
qualifications of a Gary, field OF an
Armour, accepted an opportunity for
service to his fellow man and in old
age had reason to feel that he had
been fully compensated for the fortunes
he sacrificed"
II have lived from the lightning rod
| to the radio" Mr.. Stone said last year,
| land have seen electricity change the
whole business of news gathering"
Follows A. p. Activities.
In retirement he kept in close touch
| with the activities of the Associated
F1CSS, dIlu IiC Wdo AACQuCAhS SoAAoAA"SS'
| for his advice.
"I am an old man." he said at the
annual meeting of the members in 1925
| ut is not at all unlikely that this Is
| the last time I shall have an opportu-
nifty to talk to you.
"I regard the Associated Press as a
public duty and every public duty is
| a privilege. If it were not SO should
never have been with you.
Incidentally. the Associated Press
| is an opportunity for you to make
money. But if money-getting and pub
lie service may be joined hand in hand
as / think they have been in this in
stitution, then you have been doubly
blest.
This is a cooperative organization
| the greatest in the world, and esprit
de corps is essential to success. Against
great odds and by the exercise OF
infinite patience, we have builded q
great and most useful institution-one
of incalculable value, in my belief, to
the American theory of government
And I hope no one will challenge my
| firm conviction that our American
| theory of government is far and away
the best ever devised by the sons OF
men, not perfect, I grant you, but the
| best existent"
Numbered Prominent Friends.
In his library were autographed
photographs of the great figures of the
worlds news from the Civil War, across
more than half a century to the recon.
struction period after the World War
! (Continued on Pare a Column 2.l