New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-30
HELD FOR EXTORTION.
THREE NEWSPAPER TIPSTERS ARRAIGNED
IN A POLICE COURT-TO HAVE EXAMI-
NATIONS TO-DAY,

NAIlONS IO-DA1
Louis Goddu James Edward McVeany and ]. G.
Ollendorf who have been running THE United
News Agency" on the sixth floor of THE World"
building and locked up at Police Headquarters
on Tuesday night the charge OF extortion, were
held for examination at the Centre Street Court
yesterday They have called themselves news
paper men. but they known as newspaper
tipsters.
Trouble in nearly every newspaper office in this
city has been caused by tpsters whose only occu-
patton appeared to be the selling of information
Several of these tipsters have been at one time or
another in the employ Of newspapers as reporters
but they have been known as lazy, shiftless mac
curate and untrustworthy. Some Of them have
not the ability TO write acceptably for any news
paper in the city, and some are too lazy even TO
collect accurate information for newspaper re-
ports. They have lounged about the offices OF law
yers who eager to get free advertising and
have picked up occasional bits OF news which they
have sent the newspaper offices.
Many Of the tips have been found to be utterly
worthless but whenever tips have been followed
up and the information has been used in published
reports the t!psters have sent bills 10 the news
papers. 1t has been understood that in some cases
the lawyers who gave information 10 the tip
sters also have paid small sums 10 the purveyors
of news. The business has not been profitable.
however. to keep some Of the tipsters from at
tempts at backmail.
on Tuesday was made by Edgar Tate g. Co., the
patent lawyers No. 245 Broadway. According to
statements made in the complaint, McNeany was
the manager of the News Agency. and Ollcndorf
treasurer. On the night of Saturday. March q.
Ollendorf went to the firms office and said he had
a story, the publication of which would greatly
injure the firm. p. r. Griffith member OF the
firm looked at the story and requested Olendorf
to meet him at No q West Eighty eighth-st,. an
hour later Ollendorf went and found Mr.. Tate
there. Olendorf agreed TO keep the damaging arti
Gle out OF the papers on the payment OF $500. Oen
dorf took Mr. Griffith TO his house to meet Nc
Neany. and on the following Monday the 500
paid TO McNeany at the firms office.
on April 20. Ollendorf went back to the firms
Office aid said that Goddu had got hold OF tho
story and would publish 1t unless he also received
500 Members of the firm at first declared that
they would not submit to further extorion. bu,
later. after they had been advised they entered
into negotiations which resulted In the payment Of
$500 In marked bills TO Goddu and the arrest of the
tipster by a detective. who witnessed the trans
action The arrest OF the other two tipsers fol-
lowed.
Joseph Moss represented the prisoners when they
were arraigned in the court yesterday. At the g.
guest of the lawyer the hearing in the case OF
Goddu was adjourned until 10 a. m. to-day. All
three prisoners pleaded not guilty. The hearing in
the cases Of McNeany and Ollendorf was set down
for this afternoon.