OCR Text |
Show ASSOCIATED PRESS. Philadelphia, Mar. (March) 11. - In the star course under the management of F. B. Hugh, before a large audience at the Academy of Music, this evening, a lecture was delivered on the subject of the "Associated Press," or How we Get the News," by Jas. (James) W. Simonton, general agent for the Associated Press, the subject being one often inquired about, and about which the public know very little. On the stage near the lecturer's left hand was placed telegraph instruments connected with the wires of the Western Union telegraph, and through them the audience was placed in communication almost with the ends of the earth, dispatches being received from all parts of the United States, including California, Canada, and from Great Britain and the continent of Europe. Having been introduced by W. V. McLean of the Leader, as the great wirepuller of the age, Simonton struck at once into the discussion of his chosen theme. Having traced the growth of the press from the year 1837, when the procurance of marine news in New York harbor led a number of journals in that city to combine, down to the present day. Simonton explained that the organization is practically a central news exchange with branch associations for local purposes in various cities, all governed with the same object of getting the most and freshest news. Simonton then called for dispatches from distant points, and an answer was received from New Orleans in a few moments, giving the news of the rescue of a crew of a vessel lost on Wednesday in the Gulf of Mexico, and other current items of news. London was then called and asked what Parliament was doing, and an answer came back in three minutes: "Parliament has just finished the arms bill in committee, and is now looking up the army estimates." A dispatch was received from Montreal a few minutes afterward, stating that snow had been falling there all day. A message was then sent to san Francisco asking for a message to be sent quickly, and in four minutes it was received, giving a report of today's proceedings in the Kalloch trial. A dispatch from Washington, stating that the weather was clear, cool and pleasant, was read. Simonton spoke of the personnel of the United Press, and answered various complaints against it. There could be no partisanship in its news, he said, as its membership embraced men of all shades of views, and editors who receive news are free to alter, revise or leave out just as they see fit. He derided the idea that Jay Gould or any individual or set of individuals could, even if they so desired, control the Associated Press. In conclusion, Simonton spoke of the blessing the association had proven itself as a mighty force in civilization. He referred to the prodigious labors connected with the reception and handling of the news, and gracefully closed his lecture by introducing a picture of the weary news editor receiving from the Associated Press agents about three o'clock in the morning the cheery words "good night," the signal that no more dispatches may be expected for the day. |