Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-07-20
VICTIMS OF SOCIETY PAPER
Prominent New Workers Pay Large
Sums to Prevept Publication of
Statements COncerninE Them.

NEW YORK. JULY 19.--The books Of the
Town Topics insofarlas they deal with the
book on American Society entitled "Fads
ana Fancies,' which was sold by subscrip-
ton and on which the publishers realized
approximately $4,000. will be examined by
representatives Of the district attorney
office no matter what opposition is made
to such a step. This announcement was
made today by Assistant District Attorney
cans after he had a conference with AS
sistant District Attorney Krotel.
Mr.. Krotel first came into the case when
ne was assigned to prosecute Charles H.
Able, who was arrested on complaint of
Edwin NJ. Post, who charged that Able
attempted to blackmail him. Post declared
that Able attempted 10 force him to sub
scribe 500 for a book on New York So
oiety. He alleged that Able told him that
a scandalous story involving his name was
In possession Of a New York weekly paper
but that it would not be published II Post
would subscribe for the book The money
was paid to Able in the presence of detec-
tives and his arrest followed. His case
now is awaiting the action of the grand
jury and Mr.. Krotel has announced that
several persons prominent in society have
announced their willingness to Join with
MT Post in the prosecution. Their willing
ness to appear is conditional, however, on
the district attorney promising that no
question shall be asked them concerning
stories which, they allege. Ahle mentioned
when he solicited their subscriptions
When Mr.. Krotel examined the books OF
the Town Topics company yesterday he
was refused permission to inspect some Of
the entries having 70 do with the book
"Fads and Fancies." He learned, however.
he said, that while the regular subscription
price for the book was S1,5OO several persons
paid larger sums. Among them was Mrs.
Coils P. Huntington, widow of the multi
millionaire railroad promoter, who was
credited with paying $4,000 for her sub
scription copy Of the book Mr.. Krotel
SAID today that If II Is possible to reach
Mrs Huntington she will be asked to tes-
lfy as to the condition under which she
paid more money than the regular sub
scription price.
Ihat the district attorney is determined
TO question other prominent persons in ad-
dition to Mrs. Huntington with regard to
the subscription for "Fads and Fancies"
was shown today when subpoenas were is
sued for former Judge Elbert P. Gary
chairman of the executive committee Of the
United States Steel corporation and Gio-
vanni Mortssini, wealthy banker.
subpoena was served on Mr. Morosini
whose legal representative said that while
Mr. Morosini was not at all we'll because
OF the heat, he expected to leave his house
In few days and would do all he could
to assist the district attorneys office An
nouncement was made tonight that among
the subscriptions to "Fads and Fancies"
were those of John Jacob Astor, Clarence
H. Mackay and Senator Chauncey NJ. De-
pew for $500 each and Perry Belmont for
81, 900.
Mr. Lauterbach had not replied to the
district attorneys request for a thorough
examination of the company's books to-
night. reply was expected tomorrow. In
case OF refusal, it is Said the district at
torney's office will refer the whole matter
to the grand jury.
Justice Deuel. of the court of special seq
sions, director OF the Town Topics COM
pany, sent a letter to the district attorneys
ONCE today in which he said he had no
objections to Mr.. Krotel making a thorough
examination of the company's books. He
suggested that an interview with Edward
Lauterbach, counsel for Town Topics,
might bring about the desired result. The
partial examination of the books, which
was made yesterday, was by the consent
of Mr., Iauterbach