The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-10
COIN ONLY COULD
KEEP PAPER QUIET
Sensational Testimony in a Mas
sachusetts Libel Suit.
EDITOR USED BLACKMAIL
Told Officer of Gas Company He
Would Publish Him If Certain
Political Advertising Contract
Was Not Signed.

Boston, Mass, April "a libel suit
growing out of certain publications du-
ring political canvass at Lynn, Mass,
last fall, brought by ex-State Represen-
tative Frank p. Bennett, of Saugus,
aginst John F. Donahue and the Lynn
Daily Item, now In its second week of
trial of the Superior Court here, was of
exceptional interest today. Thomas w.
Lawson was the chief witness. He spoke
for the defense, which is at present at
lacking Mr.. Benefits alleged business
methods.
Mr.. Lawson stated hat Mr.. Bennett
has endeavored to secure advertising
from him and told of conversation
which he had with plaintiff in which
there figured an article said to involve
the name of Aretas Blood, president of
Mr.. Lawson's company.
81 told him." said Mr.. Lawson, that
IL he should publish such a story about
me, I'd kill him.
Mr.. Lawson testified:
Bennett came to me and said he had
seen Mr.. Blood and he was going to
advertise
'I said L have talked with Mr.. Blood
and find you are right, but beforel bind
the contract you are to show me the
article YOU threatened to publish if Mr..
Blood did not advertise. l went with
Mr. Bennett to his private office. You
threatened to harm a man of Mr.. Blood 8
age and responsibility in this way?
asked.
Would Publish Him.
"I did not threaten him. he said, I
merely told him I'd publish him. Its
been published before anyway.
HE then produced the story from his
files and 1 said after reading it: I
can't believe, even knowing what kind
of a man that you are that you would
show this to Mr.. Blood and moreover
l said, / don't believe you'll publish. it.
If you published 1t about me 1 would
kill you. I'd do it in a moment
President Bennett broke down, said the
witness.
He said he needed the money badly.
The Grand Rivers company in which he
was interested, was going up, he said, and
had to tell some way Well, I'll think
about this said I, III not buy your bonds
anyway. They'r worth $4,000 about, and
you want $4,000 for them, but will think
over whether or not to prosecute you and
your paper"
Witness said he was an officer in the
State Gas Company of Massachusetts,
but never an officer in the Delaware Com
pany and in 1893 was opposed to Addicks
of the latter company. In 1896 he had had
conversations with Bennett about gas
in which. Bennett said: you've got some
gas matters before the legislature and
your going to have a big fight and l
want you to let me take your side"
Would Change Sides.
Bennett then, according to witness, said
he wanted $4,000 of advertising, threatening
to go to the other side unless it was forth
ing Witness told him he was already on
the other side. Bennett said. "I'll swing
around"
Then witness told Bennett he would
have nothing to do with him. Bennett
said he would send proofs of what he
wrote to witness and then the latter
would regret his decision.
Mr.. Lawson said that articles referring
to him began to appear in Benefits pa
pers accusing him of bribery and other in
EQUITIES. These articles continued until
late in 1900 In 1899 or 1900 witness had
talked with Bennett and the latter want
ed him to back him in his fight for speak
ership. Bennett said according to the wit
ness that If he was elected speaker he
could get whatever legislation was want
ed for his gas company, and say who
should be appointed on the different COM
mittees. He asked for $4,000 down to be
spent in advertising and $4,000 to $l5OOO
more would be necessary If he should be
elected speaker.
Witness refused to have any SUCH deal
ings with him.
Mr. Lawson's statement created pro-
found sensation in the court ROOM