Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-16


the trumped up charge. He left sup.
posedly to make an investigation of the
affair and later returned to me and
said that he had satisfied himself that
the report was without foundation and
assured me the story would not be
printed.
"The story gives evidence of being a
deliberate attempt at injuring my char
acter in that it publishes the rumor
and at the same time absolutely shows
the rumor to be false and without
foundation.
1T stated to the reporter that the
only time I have been on the streets of
Long Beach at night with woman
was recently, when customers wife
came into the drug store and made q
purchase, telling me that two men fol-
lowed her and expressed her fear to
return home alone. 1 offered to ac-
company her to her home, very short
distance from the store and only one
block out of my way home.
1.-TWO persons, evidently the same
who followed this woman. trailed us
and 1 deliberately stopped under a
street light to wait for their approach,
that 1 might know who they were, but
they turned down at the corner above.
This woman is well known in Long
Beach as the wife of leading and most
reputable citizen, and that she should
be dragged into the dirty game of pol
itics is shameful and bespeaks the ex-
ceedingly small spark of manhood re-
naming in the breast of the person who
would be guilty of such a thing"
Mayor Emo, regarded as the political
opponent of Mr. Oakford, denied that
any credit should be given the story,
saying:
Il was greatly surprised and very
much chagrined when told that the
Examiner had printed the story. Their
reporter called on me yesterday after
noon and related the details and asked
me to substantiate it. told him that
while had heard of the story I did not
believe it and would not substantiate it.
How the report gained circulation
do not know, but 1 am not narrow-
minded enough to credit it. Mr.. Oak
ford is substantial citizen and rep
utable man and do not believe he is
guilty of the charge.
lam afraid that, owing to political
differences between us, the story will
be laid at my door and it will have
the effect of widening the breach be-
tween the factions and make impossi-
BILE any settlement of the deplorable
conditions now existing. It unneces-
sarily stirs strife where none should
exist.
Scores Examiner
In commenting upon the statements
published in the Examiner yesterdays
issue of the Long Beach Evening
Tribune says editorially:
"The Examiner this morning con-
tains an attack on the personal char
acter and private morals of Mr.. r. S.
Oakfoard. After giving a rare and racy
story of Mr.. Oakford's alleged es-
capade, the article proceeds to deny
the story in toto by the unanimous
verdict of the principal witnesses. Now
the Tribune does not believe that this
IL the kind of news that the best peo-
pie like. 1t is not in keeping with the
high ideals of American journalism,
and, moreover, Mr.. Oakford's private
character is not an issue in the case.
Mr.. Oakford is known and respected
as man of honor and probity, good
business man and one whom we be-
lieve has the best interests Of Long
Beach at heart. 1t is unfortunate that
petty quarrels and jealousy and ami
mostly should be allowed to interfere
with the progress Of the city, and we
hope and believe that the trouble is
now about over. But we depreeate
the action of any paper that will drag
good mans name into the mire
without cause or evidence and we be-
lieve the citizenship OF Long Beach
Is unanimous in this opinion"
Following the editorial the Tribune
makes further expression as follows
"A scurrilous story published In a
Los Angeles paper concerning DR.. r,
s. Oakford is SO utterly false and alb
surd that II has justly received the
scorn and condemnation of every citi-
zen. Dr. Oakford Is too well known
to fear that any OF this mud will stick
The story I'm question is an old one
which grew out OF the circumstances
narrated by DIR. Oakford and when
circulated several weeks ago was
promptly exploded The genial doctor
can treat the nasty talk with contempt
and Indifference, for no one believes 1t
and consequently does not require the
denial either of himself or omeer Fol
som"
conklIn to Contest