The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-12
NOT AS PLAIN AS A, B, O
so COURTS ARE TRYING TO UN-
TANGLE THE A. b. O. CASE
Opening Arguments Made In the
Libel Suit of the American Book
Company Against the Kingdom
Publishing COmpany-Suit Prom
Uses to Be q Notable One.

The libel case of the American Book
company against the Kingdom Publish
ing company was fairly started before
Judge Lochren in the United States
court yesterday. in Minneapolis, the
jury having been secured.
1t was evinced from the very start
that the case will be fought bitterly
and every inch of ground fiercely con-
tested, as both companies are repre-
scented by prominent legal lights. The
attorneys retained as counsel by the
plaintiff are C. S. Jelley, of Mime
apclis, and c.. d. and T. D. O'Brien. Of
ST. Paul. EX-Gov. Cameron. of Vir-
ginia. is supposed to be associated with
the plaintiffs but he did not appear in
court. For the defendant there APP
peared II. J. Fletcher and J. c. Fifield,
of Minneapolis; E. M. Haines. of Grin
nell, To-, and c. 5. barrow, one of Chi
Cages most brilliant lawyers, who has
attained a reputation as an advocate
of single tax and other reforms.
The attorneys for the plaintiff were
flanked with a number of representa-
tives of the American Book company.
and the court room was we'll filled with
witnesses from all over the country.
who are here to testify.
Yesterday morning Judge Lochren re-
fused to follow the precedent set by
Judge WoolsOn, Des MOineS, who struck
out many of the essential parts of the
plaintiffs case in the similar suit
against President Gates. Judge Lochren
taking the ground that a corporation
may bring an action for damages with
out citing any special damage.
Attorney Jelley opened the case for
the plaintiff by reviewing the circum-
stances under which the book of Presi-
dent Gates, "A Foe to American
Schools" was published by the King
In nv nd q
pages of the book there appeared more
enmty. malignance and mlsrepresenta
ton than had ever appeared before in
so small a compass, the book only hav-
ing forty-seven pages. He declared
that the book was written by George
A. Gates at the inStigation of CHM 81
Co.. a rival of the American Book COM
rany.
MIR. Jelley then read the complaint
and referred to some of the excerpts
from DR.. Gates pamphlet, by remark
ing that it was evident that the die
tionary had been raked in an effort
to find big sounding words. He kept
up a running fire of comment on the
charges advanced by DIR. Gates, and
referring to still other charges, quoted
in the defendants answer. he declared
that they would be refuted. Many of
these statements were based on false
paid statements, published in news
papers at the instigation Of CHM &
Co 1t would be shown by the
plaintiff that the defendant COM
pany had deliberately published three
additions Of the pamphlet to the total
number of 5000 copies, and it would
be proved that the first edition of 1000
copies was subscribed and paid for by
CHM & Co. Mr. Jelly concluded at noon
and before taking recess Judge Loeb
rem instructed the Jury not to talk
with any one regarding the case.
Most of the afternoon was spent in
listening to the reading of the deposit
lions of w. L. Sheats. c. w. Crunk
sharks. G. F. Hendricks, William Belle
fenille. w. A. Doran, j. Stevenson,
Eugene Halcome and Charles Spencer.
Herbert w. Gleason, of the Kingdom
Publishing company. was the first wit
ness sworn. Mr.. Gleason was called
by the plaintiff ard testified regard
ing the publishing of the pamphlet and
the number published. He said that he
believed that the statements in the
pamphlet were true. because DIR. Gates
told him they were true. He also testi-
fled as to how the pamphlets were dis
posed of, and who had bought large
orders of them. Mr.. Gleason was still
OH the witness stand when court ad-
iOurred