Evening star., 1943-04-19

primarily to enforce economies In
Government.
merit the approval and heartfelt
appreciation of the citizens Of this
our Nation at war"
400 Entered Military Service.
The boards report continued:
This success was attained in a
year which saw the number of those
on leave for military service grow
to more than 400, or over 20 per cent
of the staff, and in a time which
tested as never before the resource
fulness, courage, stamina and capa-
bilities of each and every individual.
"To those in the battle areas all
over the world there is owing debt
of gratitude for their perseverance
and superb hardihood in conditions
both difficult and dangerous.
Long before the actual declara-
ton of war the general manager be-
gan to move to protect all news men,
regardless of their connections, who
were then kept by their work in
countries likely to become our
enemies.
"On this intercession the Depart
ment Of State obtained reciprocal
agreements as to the semi-diplo-
matte status of all correspondents so
engaged 1t was happy event when
the staffs from Germany and italy
and later Japan and the Far East,
after long months, were returned to
this country. -.s :.--.
Commends Members for Restraint.
In connection with those and
their families who were overwhelmed
by the tide of war and remain pris-
oners or unreported we know We
speak for all members in extending
to them the sympathy of all; as we
do to the family and friends of Ed
ward Henry Crockett, killed in
action aboard a destroyer since the
turn of the year."
The board commended the men,
Der papers and the management and
staff on the restraint exercised '''
participating in the voluntary CEN
sorship." and added:
"At the same time, every effort
will continue to be made to obtain
free and full access to news for pub
lication where such publication
would not adversely affect the war
effort"
Referring to other events not di-
rectly related to the war, the board
noted that "all of us suffered q loss
in the death of Brian Bell. who has
been so we'll described as the beloved
chief of the Washington Bureau"
| The board said that operations
had been carried on with such "effi-
cheney and economy in the domestic.
| foreign and war areas that the gen.
eral manager was able to recommend
to the board that they authorized
refunds of assessments collected in
excess of requirements. This dis
tribution was made prior to the end
Of the year"
Subsidiaries Doing Well.
Subsidiary operations. the board
said, continued to show satisfactory
progress, particularly Press Associa-
ton, operating news report for
radio. which now serves more than
300 radio stations.
There also has been a Satisfactory
expansion, the report added, in
South and Central American opera
tions OF La Prensa Asociada, with
consequent benefit to the peoples Of
both North and South America in
the freer exchange Of news"
Touching on legal problems en-.
90 Cin0 tho oftantinrH nf $hn
during the year, particularly the
civil action brought in August by
the Department OF Justice in New
York Federal Court charging certain
bylaw provisions of the organiza.
ton operated in restraint of trade.
the report said
The board feels, as respects the
litigation, that the effort Of the De.
partment OF Justice to make a pub
lie utility out of the Associated
Press must be strenuously opposed,
among other reasons in order to
foreclose against the next step, II
the department Is successful, name
ly, Government regulation as a pub
lie utility; the board feels that the
Associated Press Is being ably and
energetically represented by compe-
tent counsel and every appropriate
step is being taken to protect the
Associated Press and its members"
The board termed q "heartening
event" the formation of an inde-
pendent committee by members
from smaller cities, headed by Ed
Lindsay Of the Decatur Qll.) Herald
and Review, which invited ell mem
bers not specifically named Defend
ants in the Governments suit to
join with them. The committee
employed special counsel to aid A. p.
attnrnevs