Evening star., 1954-04-19
Efforts 10 Go Behind
News Cited in Report
Al A. P. Convention
BY the Assoeio,ed Pres,


Associated Press produced dur
ing the last year "the most am
bilious series of enterprise sto-
ries in AP history" in an ever
broadening effort "to meet the
news" the board Of directors
said today.
The board, noting that the
AP now serves a record 6,791
newspaper, radio and television
members and ubscribers
throughout the world, said in
its annual report:
From an organization wait
ing for the news to happen the
AP. broadening out carefully
over a period of years, now goes
to meet the news-wherever it
may be; then goes behind and
beyond it for greatest possible
clarity, balance and understand
ing"
The report was read at the
annual business meeting of
members of the Associated Press.
worldwide newsgathering CO.
operative.
Six Directors Voted On.
The members voted for six
directors and acted on the ap-
plications of Is newspapers for
regular membership. Counting
Of ballots for directors will not
be complete until late tonight.
Henry Cabot Lodge. jr.. United
States Ambassador to. the United
Nations, was the speaker for the
annual luncheon in the Waldorf
Astoria Hotel.
The Board of Directors said
nothing is more significant in
the increasing value and useful
ness of the service" than stories
that explain, interpret and back
ground the news. To do this, the
board said, "the AP went to the
news fronts of the world at large
for explanation, Interpretation,
background"
It cited unparalleled coverage
of the Russian Scene"-largely
through stories by AP Staffers
Eddy Gilmore and Thomas Whit
ney on their return here after
years in Moscow, and by Will
liam L. Ryan, AP foreign news
analyst, who made 6,000-mile
unescorted tour of Russia.
Examples of Enterprise.
Other examples Of AP enter
prise cited by the board included:
A 14-part, 30,000-word series
exploring Senator McCarthy's
personality, methods, aims and
controversies; a series on the
new polio vaccine, a report on
economic conditions by business
news analyst Sam Dawson dur
ing a cross-country tour, an ex-
PLANTATION and analysis of the
do-China war and twice-yearly
surveys on censorship through
out the world.
The directors described men,
bership cooperation in the ex-
change of news as "the back
bone Of the organization" and
said it "has improved notably In
recent years."
Through their State associa-
tionS and throGgh national or
ganizations Of managing editors
and radio news directors the
report said, "the members not
only are supplying their local
news fully and promptly, they
are also taking part increasing
ly in AP affairs and helping to
improve the services"
The board noted that mem
bers are now using more AP
services than ever before. It
said the AP newsfeatures serv-
ice "has been popped up and
built up"
Extension of the use of radio
teletype and radiophoto has re-
suited in Speedier news and pic
ture delivery abroad.
Subscribers abroad now re-
ceive a report comparable in
volume and scope to that being
delivered here" the board said.
Almost undreamed of only
few years ago, all of the worlds
principal capitals now can ex-
change news instantaneously."
The AP serves more than
$500 subscribers outside the
United States, a gain of more
than $50. Newspaper member
ship in the United States totals
1913, a gain of z; and radio