The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-01-29
RICHARDS IS
UNDER BAIL
MUST ANSWER CHARGE OF
CONSPIRACY AT COURT.
AT a Hearing Before Alderman Ny
ron Kasson Last Night Evidence
Was introduced to Show That the
Accused Was Associated with
Others in an Effort to Injure the
Business of John U. Hopewell.
Walter B. Christmas Became His
Bondsman in Sum of $500.

Thomas j. Richards, of North Scran-
ton, was last night held in bail by
Alderman Myron Kasson, on a charge
of conspiring to injure the business of
John U. Hopewell, publisher of the
Providence Register. Martin +. Miller,
who was arrested on q similar charge,
waived a hearing before Alderman
Otto ID. Myers, OF the Second ward,
and entered bail in the sum of $500
for his appearance at court, M. j.
Leonard becoming his bondsman.
At the hearing last night the prose-
cutor, John U. Hopewell, was repre-
sented by Attorneys Everett Warren
and Joseph O'Brien, and the defense
by Attorney G. w. Dawson 1t Is al
legged that Richards went to certain
business men of North Scranton, as one
of committee, and told them they
had better take their patronage away
from Hopewell for the reason that he
rode on the street cars after the strike
was declared.
Mr.. Hopewell was the first witness
sworn last night. He testified that he
Is the proprietor of the Register and
also does an extensive job printing
business. About Nov. William Chap
pell and w. G. Cowles, two OF his old
est and best patrons took their adver-
tiSements out of his newspaper and de-
clined to give him any more job print
ing. These gentlemen told him that a
committee had waited upon them and
told them to take their patronage
away from the witness because he was
unfair to union labor and rode on
street cars. They did not want to have
trouble at their stores and accordingly
complied with the committees request
FIXED HIM WITH TWO.
Mr.. Hopewell said that he heard
ler's barber shop that he had fixed wit
ness with two men already and would
fix him with others.
William Chappell, the proprietor of
large general store in North Scranton,
said that he had advertised in the Reg
lister since 1884 and had his job print
ing done at that office and that every
thing was entirely satisfactory so far
as his business relations with Mr.
Hopewell was concerned.
Some time around Nov. / he received
an unsigned Communication which ad-
vised him against patroniZing Mr.
Hopewell for the reason, as the letter
stated, that he was unfair to union
labor. Later a committee waited upon
him and advised him against dealing
with the prosecutor. They did not say
who they represented and he did not
know the names of any of them.
1t was not because of this communi-
cation or the visit of the committee
that he ceased his business relations
with Mr.. Hopewell. From what he
had heard and seen he believed that
Mr.. Hopewell was antagonizing the
labor element and as they were large
patrons of his store he believed At was
the wisest course for him to discon-
tinue his advertising and other pat
ronage. Major Warren asked Mr..
Chappell if it was because Mr.. Hope
well rode on the cars that he withdrew
his patronage from him, but he would
not admit that such was the case.
WHAT RICHARDS SAID.
James G.. Cowles, who works for his
brother, w. c. Cowles, a hardware
merchant doing business in North
Scranton, testified that he met the de-
fendant, Richards in the LuZerne
house along about the first of Novem-
ber and Richards called him aside and
said that he was one of a committee
and that the best thing the brother of
the witness could do would be to take
his advertising out of the Register, that
if he did not he would be boycotted.
Richards said that Hopewell was rid
ing on the cars. The advertising was
withdrawn.
That closed the testimony for the
prosecution and Mr.. O'Brien asked
that Richards be held for his appear
ance at court. This request was op-
posed by Mr.. Dawson, but Alderman
Kasson deemed the evidence sufficient
to hold the defendant for court and
asked for bail in the sum of $500, which
was furnished by Walter B. Christmas.
Richards is employed as black
4, ~