Evening Star Newspaper, February 16, 1929, Page 4

| 1 * MANY TRIBUTES IN STONE DEATH ‘Duty Toward Public and Courage Emphasized in Messages. By the Associated Press, PALM BEACH, Fla, February 16— President-elect Herbert Hoover learned with deep regret, upon his arrival in Palm Beach today, of the death of his friend, Melville E. Stone, founder of the Assoclated Press. He issued this statement: “The passing of Melville E. Stone subtracts from American life a great citizen and a great public servant. No one has made greater contribution to the best of American journalism than he. No one has been a more constant or more able friend of every good pur- pose in American life. Thousands have enjoyed his personal friendship and known his helpfulness. I deeply grieve his loss.” By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, February 16.—Tributes to Melville E. Stone came from many sources last night. Some of them fol- low: Fran: B. Noyes, president of the As- sociated Press and president of the auunm Evening Star Newspaper “At this i@ment I can only say that I think I have lost a very dear friend and one of the two or three really great mea I have ever known.” Karl A. Bickel, president of the Press: United 2 “I have just been informed of the death of Melville E. Stone and desire to extend the deep regret and sym- pathy of the United Press Associations. Older and closer personal friends of Mr. Stone than 1 can speak of his | (Continued Prom First Page) Joffre, Taft, Wilson, Roosevelt, Diaz, the of Siam. Caruso, A “Within my lifetime,” he was wont to :‘i. thgu ‘men have made and changed Mrs. Martha McFarland Stone, whom he married in Chicago in 1869, survives him, as do his daughter, Miss Elizabeth Creighton Stone, and his brother, Prof. Ormond Stone, formerly. of the faculty of the University of Virginia. His two sons, Herbeft S. Stone and Melville E. Stone, jr., dled bsfore he did. Herhert Stone was lost when the Lusitania was sunk by a German submarine. Melville Elijah Stone, eminent jour- nalist, was born on August 22, 1848, in the prairie village of Hudson, Iil. Looking back, there would seem to have been something prophetic in the nativity of one destined for great things —the modest home of a Methodist cir- cuit rider, a cottage set among five mightiouu “from little acorns grown.” In boyhood he was physically frail and he suffered the vicissitudes common to the families of itinerant clergymen of that period who by the rules, since amended, of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, could abide not longer than twe years in one “el " 8o frequently “the Stones gathered their “household goods” and moved on to pastures green. This meant for young Stone and an elder brother a succession of new associations, new schools, new teachers and (with blight- ing effect upon the slender family purse) new text-books. ‘Will to Carry On. Handicapped by the lack of a con- sistent school training, Melville Stone was fortunate in the gift of an unusually alert mind and the very hardships of his youth, in which he later rejoiced, served only to strengthen an early de- veloped will to u:lrly on. He had an in- tense interest in that was going on about him and he read everything upon which he could lay his hands. So the foundation was laid for the broad education and culture that in later years made him such a delightful com- panion while contributing largely to his professional success. As his vision broadened, national and manifold qualities of mind and heart in detail and intimacy I cannot ap- proach, but the United Press has the keenest and solidest appreciation of the great and enduring work he did in his lifetime in the development of the ideals and ethical standards of American press associations that have made them the ablest, strongest and most comprehensive in the world. “His unrelenting insistence upon im- partiality, accuracy and absolute hon- esty in news created standards that have become universal in American Journalism, and for that all Americans stand tremendously in his debt. He was a great newspaper man, a great press association executive and a great patriot.” William W. Hawkins, general man- ager of the Scripps-Howard newspapers: “Melville E. ne was one of the fairness and of duty toward the public that was a part of the very man him- self. In every nook and hamlet of the United States—in fact, in every part of the world where men turn to news- of news of their fellow men-—his of fairness and accuracy is felt and appreciated.” J. F. B. Livesay, general manager of Canadian Press: “Terribly grieved to hear of death of our fine old friend Melville E. Stone, to whom the Canadian Press owes so much. Our members throughout Can- ada will sympathize with you in your great loss.” Adolph S. Ochs, publisher of the New ork Times: “In Mr. Stone’s death journalism loses a courageous leader and wise ecounselor and the country a true pa- “When more than 30 years ago he dedicated his 1ife the task of de- e to 4ng of those who made great fortunes in the newspaper industry, in which he was a past master, an fre- quent o) ty to identify him- self with great enterprises on the most favorable terms. “To undertake the orzanization and direction of the Associated Press gave no promise of a fortune or any finan- cial gain. It did give promise of some- thing greater and better. To Mr. Stone it offered 'an opportunity for service to his fellow man—the pursuit of a noble idea, the establishment of a fine {flmlple. the crushing of a menace to the freedom and independence of the press. “No warrior or crusader ever fought for a better principle. His goal was achieved, and Mr. Stone in his old age had reason to feel that he had been fully compensated for the fortunes he sacrificed. “To the end he was wedded to his idol, the Associated Press. He wor- shiped it, dreamed of it and it occupied all his thoughts during his ‘wnklng hours. He will be greatly missed.” Kent Cooper, general manager of the Associated 2 . 2 “It would be superfluous for any one on the Associated Press staff. who has worked with Mr. Stone to allude to his genius or his greatness as a journalist. AJl that is well known. The Associated Press staff today is thinking most of the affection in which they held him and in which we all know he held us. Our loss is irreparable.” Fred S. Ferguson of the Newspaper Enterprise Assoclation: “This is to express the regret of the Newspaper Enterprise Association upon the passing of Mr. Stone and to extend deepest sympathy to those near to him. Mr. Stone held. the ton and respect of three generations of news- paper men and left an imprint upon American journalism which ‘will reflect his spirit for generations to come.” s H. V, Jenkins, president of the Sa- vannah (Ga.) Morning News: “The Savannah Morning News was saddened by news of the death of the grand old man of the Associated Press. “Melville E. Stone pioneered in the fleld of international news -gathering and built upon a foundation of confl- dence and accuracy which opened the door of news sources all over the world to Associated Press representatives. “Old-timers in the newspaper profes- sion perhaps appreciate the value of his early efforts more than newspaper men of this generation, but even they | to i have felt the force of his influence and ity in the organization. “The Associated Press, which was so dear to him, has necessarily been tre- international matters became as fa- miliar to him as neighborhood gossip | and with this background he came to | 2! yhy a part in the affairs of men that ar outran popular conception of the man. Mr. Stone may be known bet- ter to the next generation than to his own for throughout an extraordinary career his name rarely appeared in the press. Perhaps no other man of his time exerted so great an influence on his profession and, through his profes- sion, on society, with so little attend- ant publicity. Preferred to Stay in Background. For more than half'a century he was an indefatigable and relentless reporter of the doings of other men. For 26 years he was the general manager of a news organization which through a host of correspondents maintains a cease- less vigil over every square mile of the civilized world; that commands the greatest daily audience which the news of the day has attracted and through the instrumentality of which countless persons have been lifted overnight from obscurity to fame. His own achieve- ments were permitted scant notice in the public prints. For this he was himself responsible. his long service as general man- ager was an unwritten law in the offices of the Associated Press that his name never was to appear in its news report unless its from a story in which he figured would in itself be an obvious. impropriet; y. ‘Nothing of a laudatory character was to be said of MELVILLE E THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, him under any circumstances. His sin- cerity in the matter was beyond ques- tion ‘as occasionally one Jearned to his SOrTOw. Personal Attitude Instilled in A. P. Mr. Stone'’s attitude toward publicity 'was & natural one and easily understood by his intimates. In company with Frank B. Noyes of The Washington Evening Star, president of the Associ- ated Press; Victor F. Lawson of the Chicago News, Charles W. Knapp of the 8t. Louls Republic, Col. Frederick Dris- coll of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press, and other farsighted journalists, he had :et out to provide for the member news- papers of a co.operative organization a non-partisan news repori. A report that should be riot only without political bias but neutral in all things, uninflu- enced by personal or group considera- tlons. From the start he recognized, did his assoclates, that where so m: Individuals with varied interests were concerned in a mutual endeavor eternal vigilance would be necessary if the or- ganization was to reflect only the news and never the conflicting opinions or the varied interests of those who owned and controlled it. To maintain inviolable the news re- port of the Associated Press became to its first general manager a ruling pas- sion, and in the application of his trust to himself almost an obsession. Behind the scenes in many world dramas he scrupulously avoided the spotlight. In his anxiety to stand straight he leaned backward. Neutral in Politics. There has been much interest to know what were Mr. Stone's politics. Men who had worked with him for 25 years could not answer that question. His own reply was that the Associated Press had no politics and so the general man- ager could have none. life, 50 of Mr. Stone, one felt more than he knew. But he gave the impression that he considered issues more im- portant than men, and this may be confidently accepted as the funda- mental of his political convictions. ‘There were personal matters of which Mr. Stone was frankly proud and of which he loved to talk. One was that he was the son of a Methodist clergy- man. He admitted no better heritage in that of ministers’ sons in general, he was quick to come to the defense of that oft maligned fraternity. When in 1925 the Society of Methodist Preach- ers’ Sons was founded he became a di- rector of the parent council in New York Oity. His observation was that the great majority turned out well. The subject was a sure approach and it was mspic::d t};nt more than one young man rolonged an interview with the joumlfiat by a more or less casual reference to the fact that he, too, had been born in a nage. This is important as an illuminating commentary on his childhood and a home Jife to which he ever referred in terms of endearment. English, Scotch, Irish Blood. His father was Rev. Elijah Stone and his mother Sophia Oreighton Stone, both descended from lines that gave to several generations men and women distinguished in the professions and in business, In the son was a blending of English, Scotch and Irish blood. Of the father the son has said: “He was the gentlest, kindest man I ever knew.” His mother, “sainted woman” he called her, had a sweetness and charm fortunately coupled with the long-suffering patience without which no wife of a pioneer minister could have long endured. As a_boy he never sought to escape the influence of his parents por did he outgrow that influ- ence in the years of maturity. It{was the father who wisely interfered when ever b2 done in the way of modern de- velopment that will detract from the to which Melville E. Stone is en- H. H. Cabaniss of the Atlanta Journal and at one time vice president of the Associated Press: 4 7y “I was pained to km" of the death “The Morning News, in common with other member rs, keenly feels the loss as a persol one.” Gilbert D. Leach, publisher of the Leesburg (Fla.) Morning Commercial: “Received word of the death of Mel- ville E. Stone with sincere regret. Per- mit me to add my condolences to those of a national newspaperdom, and let us not forget what 8¢ during the tryln‘! years of the zation and upbuilding of the 1 s “Melville E. Stone was a great figure in American life, a man possessed of a broad knowledge of men and affairs and sound judgment. In building the Associated Press he did a wol that few men would have been capable of. I deeply regret his death.” James J. Walker, mayer of New York: “Mr. Stone was one of the outstand- ing journalists of his generation. He was responsible to & great extent for building up the tremendous world- wide network of the Associated Press. Aside from his distinguished career as a journalist he was one of America’s most widely known and public-spirited citizens. The one thing above every- thing else for which his career will remembered is the fact that. while he directed the activities of the greatest news-gathering on the globe, that instrument for c'zmnmnmn- the day’s hb}wenl.un a waiting lwno‘l'ld remained fair and unbiased.” Richard Hooker of the Springfield, Mass., blican, » director of the As- soclated 2 G“Melville E. Stone’s monument is the Associated Press. It stands as proof of the victory which he and his associates won 35 years ago for the great principle of co-operative news gathering free from private control and subject to the censorship of truth and accuracy as ap- plied by 1,200 members, including every shade of political and economic opinion. To serve with him in after years was to gain a sense of the vision and the ideal- ism which had made that victory pos- sible and which had built upon it as the foundation for the service of the Asso- clated Press today.” Benfamin N. Anthony of the New Bedford Standard, a director of the As- sociated Press: "Bmu;x&. St(;n? has ‘b’:;;l :llln oll;- stan re of journal rough- out the world. His accomplishments in his profession were brilliant and fear- less. Routine work in his office or gain- in{ a free and uncensored report from a king or a czar were for him a part of his daily task. His steadfast sense of right was so marked that every one knew he was giving the truth and in- spiring his associated in the Associated ess to keep up his high standard. To meet him was & n honor and to be as- sociated with him was an inspiration.” Frederick I. Thompson, pulisher Mo- bile r and associated newspa- pers: “No greater achievement could have been attained by any man within the generation than that attained by Mel- ville E. Stone. He builded the founda~ tion of an agency of information, un- every race and creed could be informed, and, thus informed, reach true appraisal and opinion. Upon that foundation rests more securely than any other the peace of the world and the recognition of the rights of mankind. The Associ- ated Press will be his monument. The ing of Mr. Stone should be mourned y all people as he will be mourned by his colleagues of the fraternity of news- g: rs, and especially by those who hld the rare privilege of his friend- ship.” Secretary of State Kellogg: “I am shocked to learn of the death of Melville E. Stone, a ploneer in the newspaper fleld, who devoted his genius he wide dissemination of news to the people not only of this country but of the world. “He contributed much to the better mendously expanded in recent years to meet the ever-growing requirements of ’th. member papers, but nothing can of untiring understanding of the peoples of the world of one another. The Associated Press i3 & monument to his many years biased, uncolored, so that free people of | Fengo, of Melville E. Stone, for 28 years gen- eral manager of the Associated Press and for a few years past counselor. “He was whole-heartedly in love with the Associated Press and resented any adverse criticism as a personal affront. He started the Chicago News and after its great success was firmly established sold his interest for a comparatively small sum in order to devote his whole' time and -energy to building up the Assoclated Pnufiyaumu;umt in th‘:lt per subsequently so! for many mil- B:n dollars. Of the three great news- paper builders whe more than all others made the Associated Press, Melville Stone, Victor Lawson and Frank B. Noves, only Mr. Noyes remains, The Atlanta Journal, of which I was man- ager in 1803, led the way of Southern daflies into the association and Mr. | Stone gave the Journal credit for its splendid assistance.” GERMAN FRIENDS GRIEVED. Directors of Wolff News Agency Send Sympathy on Death. BERLIN, February 16 (#).—Directors of Wolff's Telegraphen Agency today sent deepest sympathy to the Associated Press on th e death of Melville E. Stone. Dr. Heinrich Mantler and Dr. Hermann Dietz, directors, cabled: “We are profoundly grieved by the death of Melville E. Stone. Even though his passing away has a natural ex- planation in his advanced age, Melville Stone’s connection through decades with telegraphic agencies can never be for- gotten. His memory will be engraved upon history. To the directofs and the general man , Kent Cooper, we ex- press heartiest sympathy.” CONDOLENCES FROM JAPAN, Former Ambassador and Others Grieved at Death of Mr. Stone. ‘TOKIO, February 16 (#).—Masanao Hanihara, former Japanese ambassador at Washington, said today he was pro- foundly moved by the death of Mel- ville E. Stone, organizer and former general manager of the Associated Press. He recalled Mr. Stone’s visit to Japan, where, he said, “his personality made an indelible impression.” He declared, “the spirit of fair play which Melville Stone typified and with which he imbued the Associated Press won that organization a measure of confidence unique in world journalism.” Profound regret for Mr. Stone's death was expressed by Nippon Shimbun Rengo, Japanese news agency whose organization was modeled on that of the Associated Press. “The Japanese press deeply regrets the death of Mr. Stone, who was re- garded as the grand old man of the American press and a friend of Japan,” the agency cabled. “Kindly convey to the Associated Press heartfelt sympathy and deep sense of loss in behalf of the members of 180."” Personal messages of sympathyto Mr. Stone’s family also were cabled by ‘Yukichi Iwanaga, managing director of , and Count Kabayama, promi- nent business man and member of the House of Peers. HERRICK PAYS TRIBUTE. Passing of Mr..Stone Mourned by U. S. Ambassador in Paris. PARIS, February 16 (#).—Tribute to Melville Stone was paid here today by Myron T. Herrick, American Ambassa~ dor. He sald: “Mr, Stone will be mourned by multi- tudes. He filled an unusual place in American life. Having served an ap- renticeship in business, his role, when Re became head of the Associated Press, ‘was more than that of a newspaper man —~he was a great advisor to the people and he was sought by the most astute business men in the adjustment of pub- lic difficulties. “Mr. Stone's personality was such that he drew to himself hosts of As has been said of the mysteries of | him. friends. He was one of dearest :m for the public good.” friends, and I mourn him.’ e ‘the youth of 18, willing in spirit but weak in flesh, enlisted as a drummer boy in the Union Army at the outbreak of the Civil War. It was the mother who dissuaded him from the study of law when her woman's intuition told her that that was not the path to the future in store for him. Publishes First Paper. Reyv. Stone's salary was inadequate for the support of his family and, like other circuit riders, he was forced to find additional income as best he could. To this end he undertook the manu- facture of sawmill tools and took his son into his factory. When the latter was 20 years old he spent a month or two as a reporter on the Chicago Re- publican and ‘then began the publica- tion of the Sawyer and Mechanic, his first newspaper. But the paper did not Iast long and his father bought him an y | interest_in an iron foundry and ma- chine shop in Chicago, to which city the Inmprhad removed. The business prospered until the plant was destroyed in tgi great fire. In 1869 Mr. Stone married a Chicago young woman, Miss Martha J.. McFar- land, daughter of John Stuart McFar- land. To them were born two sons, Melville E., jr., and Herbert Stuart, and a daughter, Elizabeth C. Following the fire his foundry busi- ness did not revive. So in 1871, when he was asked to take charge of the Chi- cago Republican, he became definitely allled with daily journalism. In the next few years, in spite of ill health, he held important positions on several Chicago newspapers, including the post of Washington correspondent for the Chicago Mail, which merged wiih the Evening Post and became the Post and Mail. Starts One-Cent Daily. In 1874 the possibility of starting a 1-cent daily newspaper began to interest . As an_experiment, he backed a well known Chi reporter in estab- lishing such a daily in an out-of-the- way location. It lasted only a few months. The following year a partner prepared to contribute $5,000 was found. His former partner also joined. In their quest for public respect and permanency the partners decided to be independent of political parties. They made it a rule that none of them might hold stock in any public utility corpora- tion. Their paper was to have only two sources of income: From the sale of papers and the sale of advertising space. There was to be no pandering to the vitiated taste of the unthinking nor publication of so-called sensational or scandalous material purely for the pur- pose of making sales. ‘The Chicago Daily News, after a pre- liminary announcement issue, began regular publication on January 1, 1876. ‘The penny paper, which 50 years later was to return its owners an annual net profit of $1,350,000, from the first seemed to thrive on the very audacity of its new-fangled notions. On the first day 9,000 copies were sold and within a week it was found necessary to refuse advertising because of a lack of space. Lawson Enters Partnership. But the capital with which the paper was started was inadequate, and adher- ence to high principies brought some severe battles with advertisers. Mr. Stone’s partners were not in a mood to go through with the struggle, and their money was returned to them. A new colleague was found in Victor F. Law- son, who continued as partner until Mr. Stone sold out his interest. Mr. Law- son was in sympathy with thé pro- gressive policies of his associate and undertook the business management of the paper, allowing Mr. Stone to devote all his energies to editorial direction. Mr. Lawson died on August 19, 1925, after almost 50 years of ownership in the paper. In 1881 the partners foynd- ed the Morning News and obtained the consent of the competitors to take out a Western Associated Press franchise. ‘The morning paper had been going well for about a year when it was bard hit. However, difficulties were ' the foundations upon which Mr. Stone built new institutions. Mr. Stone as editor of a morning and evening paper surrounded himself with an editorial staff that was generally ad- mitted to be the ablest of any Western newspaper at that time. Placed Premium on Honesty. The ability to pick able lieutenants was another source of pride with Mr. Stone. He boasted shamelessly of his foresight in this respect, though to the discerning his “boasting” savored of boosting. It was his way of compli- menting those who worked under him or “with him,” as he would say. He demanded less in_ point of brilliancy than he did ine honest, faithful en- deavor, and to those who won his con- fidence went also the reward of a very tender affection. If he believed in a mndn he would stand with him to the end. ‘When on March 23, 1918, the country was amazed at a cablegram from the office of the Associated Press in Paris reporting that the Germans were bom- barding the French capital from a dis- tance of 72 miles, many doubted L%l the message could be true. But Mr. Stone had faith in the chief of the Paris office, and while some editors were speculating as to whether the dis- patch was a practical joke or the Amer- ican reporters had gone mad, he wired his office from St. Louis, where he had gone to address the Chamber of Com- merce, to “stand pat” on the Paris story. For the next few hours he was in for a lot of chaffing about the ac- curacy of the “A. P.” reports, but in the end he had the laugh on the other (ellluw. n a_ very few years the Chicago Daily News became one of the mno'fl powerful journals in the country and its editor the advisor of Presidents and major politicians. In 1883 Mr. Stone was elected & director of the Western Associated Press. In 1885 he discovered Ottmar Mergenthaler struggling to finance his invention, the linotype ma- chine. He organized a syndicate which gave the inventor $300,000 for his patents, the largest sum paid for un- completed patents up to that time. Mr, Stone was chosen first chairman of the board of directors, b\‘t later sold his entire interest to his partner, Mr, Lawson. Decides to Sell Interest. At the age of 40 Mr. Stone decided to sell his interst in the Chicago papers also to his partner. He had il health as @ cause for retirement, but he was influ- enced more by a desire to educate him- self more fully, for he felt that his cultural training was not adequate for the prominence and influence he had achieved. A satisfactory price was ar- ranged and Mr. Lawson gave him $100,- 000 additional to remain out of active {mn'nunmtlr 1in ‘Sihk’\c; rm\' 110 years. A wo-year trip wit] amily to fore] lands followed. ' ™ 5 Upon his return to Chicago in 1890, however, he could not escape business and public honors, He was made vice president, and a year later president, of a newly organized bank, treasurer of the Chicago Drainage Canal without compensation,. president of the Bankers' Club, president of the Citizens’ Associa- tion, president of the Civil Service Re- form ague, vice president of the Union & member of the select Commery lub, and a member of the board o{n ernors of the Chicago Club, He declined » nomination for the may- oralty of Chicago. Returns to Journalism. In 1893 there came a call back to Jjournalism which meant more to Mr. Stone than all of these honors. The first Mmu lated P}l;en. ;lhl{lal:ld been organ| among New Yorl 'y papers in 1848, had been menaced by a grow ing rival known as the United Press. To meet this oom&euflon those in the management ‘of the Associated Press had purchased privately a controlling interest in the United Press and made a secret arrangement that the two should work in harmony. The existence of this pact was revealed in 1892 when a 10-year alllance between the New York Assoclated Press and the Western Associated Press, which was originally an insurgent organization, was about to terminate. e Western group re- fused to go on under the existing arrangement. So the New York Asso- ciated Press was absorbed by the United Press. There was a period of attempted compromise and then ‘Western friends of Mr. Stone formed the Asso- | court issued ciated Press, incorporated in Illinois. Mr: Stone was asked to become general manager. Fights Private News Control. The United Press was controlled by three men, only one of whom was a journalist. Writing of this situation ater, Mr. Stone explained that his friends “felt it unsafe to leave so im- portant a business under a privately owned, money-making control.” “The business of news gathering and purveying,” he wrote, “had fallen into Yflvlu and mercenary hands. Its con- ol by three men was quite as menac- ing as that of the governmental auto- crats of the ages agone. There could be no really free press in these circum- stances. A press to be free must be one ;thlcth should gather the news for Again Mr. Stone turned his back on riches and public honors. He gave up the active management of a lucrative banking business to become the admin- istrative head of an organization weak both in point of membership and finances, and with a fight on its hands, The reward that Mr. Stone coveted was a consciousness of duty performed. He had a profound sense of responsi- bility to do his share toward makin; this world a better world, and he turna his extraordinary talents and bound- less energy to rz)umnlism because he believed that it offered the greatest opportunity for service. In the invita- tion of the executive committee he visualized a usefulness that challenged the best that was in him. That why he joined forces with the founders of the Associated Press. Contracts for Foreign News. ‘The fight was on and the new general manager struck quickly and hard. The dAy after his election he stacted for London, where he made a contract with Reuters News Agency and its allied agencies in other countries of Eurnpe, for the exclusive rights of their news in the United States. Soon the larger newspapers of the East began to desert the United Press. One by one they applied for membership in the rival or- ganization. Four years later, on April 8, 1897, the United Press applied to the courts for a receivership. Most of the United Press papers joined the Asso- clated Press. Others united in an as- sociation which grew into the Pub- lishers' Press (later the United Press Associations) that supplied a service for afternoon papers. In 1898 the Associated Press of II- linois, triumphant in the news fleld, was wounded mortally in the courts. It had tried to discipline the Chicago Inter- Ocean, a member, for a violation of the by-laws by suspending its service to the paper, with the result that it became involved in litigation, and finally the Supreme Court of Illinois ruled that be- cause of certain provisions of its charter the news organization was bound to furnish its news to any newspaper that applied for it. This was fatal to the co-operative plan of a self-governing as- sociation. Reorganization was neces- sary. In September, 1900, the Associ- ated Press of Illinols went out of ex- istence, and with its passing the As- sociated Press of today, incorporated under the laws of the State of New York, and with a revised form of char- ter, was born. That is how the head- quarters came to be moved from Chi- cago to New York. Counted Many Friends. Among the by-products of Mr. Stone’s work were the respect of other men and lasting friendships, To those who knew him well it seemed that no other man could have had so many friends. They were found among the high and the lowly. Royalty defiuhhd in his society; and no one was so obscure that he could not meet Mr, Stone if he had an errand that to him seemed important. It mattered not in what capacity any one worked with him, that they were assoclated in a great and common cause ;vu“ sufficient to assure his frank af- ection. Foreign News Triumph. Before the days of the Assoclated Press and even after the alliance of that organization with foreign agencies, European news largely came to this country through London. It was gath- ered by British agents and Americans saw the Old World through British spectacles. Mr. Stone determined to have the news of Europe reparted for Americans by disinterested Americans and brought direct to this country from the various capitals, Foreign govern- ments welcomed this arrangement, be- lieving it would have a beneficial effect upon their international relations. As a consequence when Mr.. Stone went abroad to establish offices of the Asso- ciated Press in London, Paris, Berlin, Rome and elsewhere he was able to gain from the different governments concessions never granted to their own press. Free access to governmental de- partments and adequate telegraphic facilities were provided, and in most cases freedom from censorship followed as_a matter of course. His great forelgn triumph came later when during the Russo-Japanese War he persuaded Emperor Nicholas to re- move the censorship from Russian press dispatches. It was such achievements as this, epochal in the history of journalism, that led some of Mr. Stone’s many ad- mirers to declare him to be the great- est newspaper genius of his age. It also attracted to him a host of self~ seekers whose missions ran from re- quests for ordinary selfish publicity to the ambassadorship at the Court of St. James. Self-seekers were turned away disappointed. ‘Then, too, there werc those who were most anxious, for rea- sons of their own, to do something for Mr. Stone. There was not much that could be done for him by such. Advice Sought in Peace Parley. ‘The prestige in Europe gained by Mr. Stone in his travels for The Associated Press made it possible for him to play an important part at a critical period in the peace parley of Russia and Japan at Portsmouth, N. H. As related by him years later, the Japanese, knowing his close acquaintance with the Russian delegates, sought his views when it seemed that the negotiations would be abruptly ended because of Japan's de- mand for an indemnity. Mr. Stone said that he told the Japanese that he felt certain the Russians would not agree # y an indemnity. In fact, Emperor icholas already had instructed his mipobemhfles to withdraw and orders been formulated. for & new attack by his armies. Howeyer, Mr. Stone, through his' personal relations with President Roosevelt and Emperor Wil- liam of Germany, was able to have pressure brought on both parties and as & result Nicholas authorized further ex- changes and Tokyo yielded on the point of an indemnity. Peace followed. Wins News Property Right. : ‘What Mr. Stone regarded as one of ‘his most important contributions to journalism, and which effected a radical change in newspaper practice, was his successful campaign to establish legally the principle of a property right in news. For years he had contended that the news gatherer should be protected in the fruits of his own enterprise. The unwritten law in newspaper offices was that a news story once published, unless copyrighted, might be resold and re- published by any one who cared to nake use of it. The matter came to a head when the Associated Press brought an action in the courts to restrain a privately owned and rival news agency from taking pub- lished dispatches of the association and reselling them. It was argued that if others wu!gh take Atuoch:cd Press d;:- patches ered ai expense, in- cluding h -nfi'.m. tolls, and resell 10 than the original cost to the assogiation, the latter could 4 15| that he D. C, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1929." not advantageously continue a service that was in the interests of the public. The issue was carried to the United States Supreme Court, which issued an l’nlunemmmtrlml?lmtm dz(el;d:g: rom use ol e news of plaintiff so long as that news had com- mercial value. At the same time the a similar injunction against the complainant affording the same protection to the news of the defendant. Retires as General Manager. In 1019 Mr. Stone, because of ad- vancing years, relinquished the active duties of general manager of the As- sociated Press and in 1921, retired from the office, but continued as secretary and counselor, the latter office being created in order that the management might still have the benefit of his great ex- rience. He retained an office at the g:ndqulmu, and for years after there were few days when he was not at least for a brief itme at his desk. In the only book he wrote, “Fifty Years a Journalist,” and which is not more of an autobiography than the dramatic recital of the outstanding events of & most interesting period, Stone introduces one in an intimate way to the makers of history. At all times he is seen as the reporter dili- ntly searching for that which it is f;nportmt for the public to know. But he would be a dull reader indeed who did not see in Mr. Stone’s “mll“ofli, and acts the grasp of world affairs thal made him one of the most influential men in America. Consistent, however, with his own wishes, little of his great | Sta deeds is related in this sketch. Rather, attention is turned to the little things of his daily routine. ‘Though, as it has been said, Mr, Stone turned to journalism under the influence of the highest motives, it would be less than the truth to suggest in his profession once he was commit- ted to it. None of his large staff fol- lowed the important news of the day more closely nor with greater interest. He did not care for what editors call “chicken feed,” “tittle tattle,” or the doings of minor politicians and heroes of the prize ring. He thought that at times too much space was given by the press to professional sports and the ex- ploitation of those who attained a brief notoriety through physical prowess or chance. His heart was always in what he called the substantial activities of the gcome. whether they were great or ‘humble. H Followed News Diligently. He followed the news report sharply, coples of all matter handled at hm- quarters being delivered promptly to his | served private office. No matter whom he might be entertaining or how serious the conference in which he was engaged, the boys carrying. the copy to him opened and closed 'his door s regu- larly as the clock. This copy was spread out on a large table, arranged in piles according to its regional origin, and from time to time Mr. Stone would leave his desk and, going to the table, scan the latest dispatches there. When news of high importance broke he al- most invariably hastened to the eity room or cable department, as the case might be, to get further information first hand, and frequently made sugges- tions as to the development of a story. In this respect he was most resourceful, and very often when an essential of a developing story was lacking ‘it was Mr. Stone who indicated how this might be had. When baffled editors would go to | wish to be him. the chances were more than even that he would say: “Call up my friend So-and-So. He's the man who will know.” S In many instances Mr. Stone did not wait to be asked for his assistance, and more than once he beat the news desk by telephoning here and there and col- lecting what he had seen was necessary for the completion of an important news story. grronlemm him. His knowl- -0 Few ge of*out-of-the-way places the world WooDWARD 10th, 11th, not find the greatest joy | his, intent around was remarkable. Something that never slipped by him was a biased or unfair presentation made on the au- thority of the Associated Press. No matter what his own feelings may have been in matters of controversy, as far as the news report was concerned he held the balance true. Son Lest on Lusitania. This was tragically illustrated during the World War, when his own son, Her- bert Stuart, was lost in the sinking of the Lusitanla by a German U-boat. Some time before Mr. Stone had lost his only other son, Melville E., after a long_period of ill health, and the death ufn,ierbert was a crushing hlow. Her- bert had sailed for Europe bearing let- ters of introduction from Count von Bernstorfl, the German Ambassador at Washington, who, in the rage and hor- ror aroused by the crime against help- less neutrals, was openly accused of having foreknowledge of the fate of the passenger liner. Mr. Stone saw no more of von Bernstorfl, nor cared to hear his protestations of innocence, but such was his sense of justice that he did make it known that he did not believe Mr. | the Ambassador could have wilfully sent his son and other friends to their doom. No man had greater cause to S many, but whatever may have n in his heart it should be recorded that Mr. Stone never wavered in his news neutrality, On that fateful day when the false Teport of an armistice was circulated by another press assoclation, Mr. Stone was one of those who refused to be mpeded, Satisfled that the report could not be true, he again saw to it that the A. P. “stood pat.” Fair With Staff. Mr. Stone was equally fair with his staff. He judged a man not alone by his uuonls. but with a consideration of ons. “You cannot judge a man rightly by ‘hindsight,’” he would say. “When a man can show me that he had a rea- son for doing as he did, regardless of how the matter may have turned out subsequently, I will stand by him.” And he did. His extraordinary powers of concen- tration and terseness of expression were illustrated in his correspondence. His letters were models. He went to the heart of a subject of correspondence as he went to the essentials of a news story. He could say more in one or two sentences than most men say in a dozen. His replies to attacks on the Assoclated Press were usually short and to the point. He had great patience with those who criticized in ignorance and he appreciated intelligent and de- criticism. He made short shrift of those whose attacks obviously were dishonest or malicious. No one knew better how to write the soft answer tiat turneth away wrath or could strire harder if the treatment seemed to be required. Always in Touch With Office. Mr. Stone kept in touch with his office around the clock. When he slept was always a mystery. It was a com- mon occurance for him to telephone his-office at 1 or 2 o'clock in the morn- ing and ask for the latest news. He was par:icuol‘nl{hmuerested to know the commen! le morning papers in London on any political matter of na- tional or international importance. And he wished to be “disturbed” when any- thing unusual happened, regardless of the hour, Ordinarily persons do not aroused between 3 and 7 in the morning, but not so Mr. Stone. To & desk editor who telephoned him just before sunrise and apologized for so doing, Mr, Stone sald: “Don‘t you worry about that. ‘I am available 24 hours of the day and night, and I wish to be called if there is any reason whatever for calling me.” His mind functioned the moment he was awake, Ve:‘y early one morning his office learned of the of & news- g:{ of man widely Enown In tho West, whem not much was available in . STONE AN OUTSTANDING FIGURE IN JOURNALISM the East. The telephone at M. Btone! bed rang and his office said: “So-and-so is dead. Can you tell u something about him?” Mr. Stone replied, “Take this.” ‘Without a moment's hesitation h dictated 300 words of what was a bio grunlp;\iell sketch and estimation com ed. Printed Attacks of Enemies. He was never afraid to carry anythin that any one of consequence said un favorable to the Associated Press. Dur ing a period of muckraking the name ¢ the Associated Press was introduced i a scandalous and wholly unwarrante manner. Late at night the offic awakened Mr. Stone and told him: “A statement has been issued makin a wholly untrue and very misleading al tack on the Associated Press.” “Use it,” said Mr. Stone, and rang of Mr. Stone was always regarded as th “A. P.'s” best reporter, and he was per fectly willing to take any assignmen that the office gave him. He would g here or there at any time of the da or night to help out “the boys,” and, & the parlance of the office, he usuall “brought home the bacon.” Only onc Mr. Stone was known to fall down of an assignment, and that was when th assignment didn't really pan out. Other Anecdotes of Life. He was playing bridge at the Loty Club early one evening when the offic telephoned him that there was suppose to be a story at the home of friends ¢ A u?ehfmmid he, “I'll = right,” saf e, “I'll go right there and get it.” b Arriving at the scene Mr. Stone foun that there was not much of a stor there after all and he delayed tele phoning the office ‘in order to have chat with his friends. When he cam mr}nve ?umd, r:d whh‘m ;-hlt he ha not. repor and so tele] 1 what there was of the story. w“ then very late the story was not use in the night report but was sent o the next morning. When Mr. Ston reached his office the next day he look ed through the night report for th story and, not finding it, later in th day called to account the man to whoi he had telephoned. “Why,” said this editor, “it was to late for the night report.” “Too late?" replied Mr. Stone. “I telq phoned you that story at 10 o'clod last_night.” “Well,” sald the editor, “all I ca say, Mr. Stone, is that elther you watch or mine ought to to' the re pair shop. By my time it was some thing after 2 o'clock this morning ths 1 heard from you.” Mr. Stone looked puzzied for a mq ment, and then, si g broadly, said “All right; I'll accept your recolle¢ tion of the matter.” A book might be filled with anecdota of a life rich in achievements, contain ing much of happiness and much q sorrow, but what been said will sug gest how clov= he was to his felloy workers and how absorbed he was in hi great mission. 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