The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-17
LEGAL FIGHT ON
LAWSON IS BEGUN.
Harry Wackand an Amalgamated
Copper Lawyer Make Formal
~
Complaint. al.
Special to The Journal.

New York, Dee Informal COM
plant has been lodged with the district.
attorney against Thomas w. Lawson be-
cause of his attacks on the Amalga-
mated Copper company, and an appll-
cation was filed asking that he be in
dicted under Section 435 Of the penal
code, which makes it a. crime to circu-
late false reports about a corporation
to affect the value of its stock.
The complaint was lodged by Henry
Wellington Wack, who is declared to
own outright 1000 shares of Amalga-
mated Copper stock. He. went to the
district attorneys office, accompanied
by his lawyer, Charles Maitland Beat
Mr.. Beattie admitted that he has done
legal work for H. H. Rogers, president
of the Amalgamated Copper company,
and Lawson's chosen foe. But Mr..
Beattie insisted that neither Mr.. Rogers
nor any of the other Standard Oil men
were behind Mr.. Wack.
A person convicted under. Section
435 is liable to three years. imprlson-
ment or a fine Of $4,000 or both.
Harry Wack of st. Paul.
Mr.. Wack, the complainant, is alleged
to be a wealthy American whose home
is in London, but who is a member of
the bar association in this country.
However, there are New York news
paper men, formerly of the west, who
recall him as Harry Wack when he was
"connected with journalism - in St.Paul.
Also they mention him as press agent
for and fance of Ellen Beach Yaw of
step-ladder soprano and other fame.
Acting District Attorney Rand re-
ceived the complaint filed by Mr..
Wack. He said that the district attor-
ney will make an investigation and will
have all of the parties interested appear
before him. Whether an Indictment will
be asked for by the district attorney
depends, Mr.. Rand said, upon the re-
suit Of the inquiry.
Mr.. Wack said that when he arrived
in this country a short time ago his
1000 shares of Amalgamated stock had
a market value of $751; SO. Then Mr.
Lawson published a series of advertise
ments in the newspapers declaring that
the stock was worth intrinsically not
more than $40 a share.
AS a result of these statements, Mr.
Wack alleged, the stock declined in
value, going at one time to SO, making
loss on his 1000 shares of approx
mately $4,000.
MIR. Wack's Allegations.
In his application for Mr.. Lawson s
Indictment Mr.. Wack declared that the
attack was made on Amalgamated Cop
per maliciously to injure H. H. Rogers
and on the pretext that Lawson wa
protecting the small investors. MI
Lawson, he said, had not in the leas
!. hurt Mr.. Rogers, but had brought ruiz
to thousands of the small investor
whom Lawson assumed to champion.
Mr.. Wack declared that demand
would be made upon the Amalgamate'
Copper company for it's books to as
certain exactly what the stock is worth
This, he said, would settle defnitel,,
: the truth or falsity of Mr.. Lawson 8 as
> sertions.
: In the formal statement made on be
. half Of his client, Lawyer Beattie said
. "Whatever the result Of this effort t
l. !. convict Lawson, the public is bound t
I be benefited, inasmuch as the exposur
- of Lawson IS books and the books of tn
= Amalgamated Copper company will II
> veal an unconscionable speculation an
:, the true state of affairs Of the Amalgs
= mated Copper company