New-York tribune., 1900-05-12
WANAMAKER THREATENED
PHILADELPHIA ADMINISTRATION RE-
SENTS ATTACKS OF HIS SONS
NEWSPAPER.

Philadelphia. May 11.-John Wanamaker gave out
for publication tonight letter and statement In
which he makes the sensational charge that the
Director of Public Safety, Abraham L. English. In
an attempt to silence the attacks Of THE North
American upon the administration of Mayor Ash
bridge. threatened to retaliate by publishing aff-
davits directed against the personal character OF
Mr.. Wanamaker. The letter is follows:
Philadelphia, May H. 1900
H Guy c 10 a bee6 to R oo the eac fol
In my office Thursday morning last Under or
binary circumstances there possibly could be X
cuse made for the intrusion of such private mat
ter, ter on the public attention but when powerful
trolling the police force of municipality, threat
attack on his Character aness he a s
lences the criticisms of newspaper upon the acts
private grievance-it is an incident of far-reaehng
and oI d No MORE nsogs ms and ter
threat fa Of the chief of police Of city
is no idle boast; it is a monstrous and audacious
attempt to intimidate and coerce by an unlawful
such circumstances would be an to-
with which they can harrass and oPpress. 1t would
emboden the perpetrators of such practices and
fore as duty to the newspaper press of the city
and country as well as to the entire community. to
JOHN WANAMAKER
This Is followed by circumstantial account of
remarkable interview between Director English and
Mr. Wanamaker. said to have taken place yesterday
in the latter's office in his store. Mr. Wanamaker
says Director Englishs secretary called him
after a. and stated that the Director
would like an interview. In about twenty minutes
the Director arrived accompanied by the Commits
sioner of City Property. George G. Pierre
After exchange of greetings. Director English
said:
Il have come over here to talk to you about these
The North American After the talk he and /
had with you last December thought there would
appafeny y' stop for aWRe H but W it was only T little
he mayor anG haye stood foT it now for Year
and we are not going to stand it any Long longer;
American me ine 1ifiH this 1o @oPning? l 'Se you seen
SaG " d but haHe gr not tbess read appear
again in a big double column editorial, and we are
(This editorial referred to was in criticism of
the Mayors approval of the keystone Telephone
At this point I said to him: well. Mr. Director,
you have entered upon as you have brought wit
ness along with you. think shall ask some one
what takes place I thereupOn stepped to an outer
office and requested my secretary, Mr. Meyers 10
come in which he did.
Mr. Wanamaker then Informed Mr.. English that
1.-The North American" is the property of his son,
Thomas D. Wanamaker. and is controlled ana
managed by him alone and that he (Mr "ana-
makeO had nothing to Go with the publication
Continuing, he said he would not interfere In any
way with whatever his son intended to do with his
paper, and furthermore he would not permit the
Director of Public Safety the Mayor himself TO
dictate to him question like this. Mr.. EngUsh
answered that would believe that Mr.. wanna
maker did and run the paper.
liar THAT as Much M as 10 1ay you think am
Mr. English replied that he had not said he was
liar, and when Mr.. Wanamaker reiterated that
he would not interfere with the paper Mr.. English
said: Very well. Then l want TO give you notice
that for eight months we have been looking up
your personal record from the time you We're Post
master General We have followed you throughout
Washington Philadelphia New-York and even in
Europe, and have fortified ourselves with affi-
davits against you. and since you have been at
tacking other people we will now take our turn
you"
After some further controversy Director English
said: "Well. sir. l insist that you shall stop these
attacks of The North American the admins
traton. If you do not, you will have to
blame for the consequences but yourself. We will
stand it no longer. and we give you notice. You
stop it If you want TO.
Mr.. Wanamaker replied: Your language is of
fensive and grossly insulting. You come to in
my private office and practically cali me liar and
threaten with the use of affidavitS, which
say you have collected against my character if
do not comply with your wishes and stop the pub
cation in certain newspaper of criticism of your
administration. / can hold no further conversation
with you, and I request you to leave my office at
once
Mr English then left the office with his
panion.