New-York tribune., 1905-07-26
COL. MANN TALKS FREELY.
He Defends ''T'o1cn Topic" "Fads
and Fancies" and Justice Deuel.

William ID. Mann. Editor OF Town Topics"
talked vigorously In the defence OF "Fads ana
Fancies' and his friend. Justice Deuel.. Whoa
connection with the weekly newspaper is un-
der investigation by District Attorney Jeronu.
Colonel Mann's interest seemed TO Be abou,
evenly divided between the protection % ~,
reputation and interests Of his friend and tho.a
OF the newspaper. Incidentally. he de>lar.4
that the books OF Town Topics and ths M,
OF subscribers TO "Fads and Fanciss" would m.
be turned over to Mr.. Jerome unless the Din.
trict Attorney brought dehnite action ch.rr.
ing fraud or crime
Colonel Mann returned from Europe Nfondav
evening and in moving a trunk after reacnin.
his home. at No 300 West T2d-st.. suffered An
injury which kept him N bed yesterday. He
Kept open horse 20 the reporters most of tbs
day. hsmmering the bed now and then BY vav
OF emphasis with force tnst brought growIs q,
protest from the pug dog which lay az the soo,
He declared that he was surprised AMI hur,
at the charges which had been made agaius-
Justice Deuel. Their acquaintance. Colonel
Mann said. began in 1883. when deuel. was
private secretary 20 Senator Roscoe Conklinz,
who was Msnn's patent attorney
Twelve years ago continued CoIonei Mann
my daughter was about 20 be married and a.
one never tell how marriages win turn out
il seemed advisable to have trustees appointed
Tor her property, which was or cons iCar7 ne
value. This trusteeship was 70 prevent her dls-
posing Of the property except by viii Justice
Deuel. consented to act with me as co-trustee
and rendered valuable services.
AS for the years passed we forgot 70 do any
thing for him I'm the way o. enumeration for
his services as trustee. Ia suddeul, occurred 20
that this not right and I suggested ~
my daughter that his name be put on the Town
Topics payroll to the amount % 300 a month
don't know just how this appears on the books.
but the salary il simply return for mis- valu-
able services as trustee for my daUghter- No
one can say that judge is violating his oath
Of office in accepting or continuing i'm such a
trusteeship"
Asked regarding Justice Deuels stock hold
ings in Town Topics Colonel Mann declared
that some years ago the justice purchased thirty
shares. and had since drawn dividends upon
them. The remainder OF the 500 shares are held
by Colonel Mann's daughter. with the exception
Of one share. which is in his own name.
In relating the history Of "Fads and Faucies'
Colonel Mann declared that young man named
NJ F. Wooster. a nephew of Joe Howard. nrst
outlined il to him. The subscription price was 70
he 81 $50 for an engraved photograph and two
pages Of reading matter Extra pages were 10
be- $3.50 each. and must oe taken in pairs Only
one copy vas 10 be sold TO each subscribe AMI
in the Congressional Library, the British M
scum the Nev-Yurk Public Library and ,a-
archives of Town Topics" The agreemeu- was
that Wooster was 10 solicit subscriptions from
A list prepared by Colonel Mann. that "To7.
Topics" was to undertake the publication 1'-
that the magazine and Wooster we're 10 shar-
the profits
The subscription list was completed two yea,
ago Colonel Mann said that Wooster beam.
q
he drew $5OD i'm cash and assigned The rest CD,
his interest Colonel Mann did Suoyv 20
whom this interest was assigned, oCt h. TeS
certain that since that time Wo"zter mas ''-
no official connection with Town Topics
Il believe" declared colonel Mann. "tha-
Wooster went ahead with "A scheme for an0tns~
hook the so-caled American Smart set anil
that possibly some of my employees were drawn
into it. have heard the names OF three men
toned Now. I do not believe that any man on
Town Topics would stOOp blackmaU. III
fact. I will give 5000 for proof that any oi
them has tried TO extort money ny using my
journal Of criticism as a club. IL my managing
editor wrote letter which this under ar
rest used Mr.. Post, Will have 10 be looking
around for new managing editor. I am 10
altruist: l work for money. but il must be hon
est money. and Town Topics. which IL my
baby has never earned dollar otherwise"
SO far Mr.. Jerome is concerned, have
nothing TO say" said Colonel Mann I'm COnCIu-
sion until he makes definite charge against
the management OF Town Topics 7 will neither
turn over my books nor the SubSCrlp ptiOn list 20
'Fads and Fancies' unless he charges blaCkmau
or other fraud in connection with the subscrip-
tions. 1 do not say this in any spirit OF de-
hance. for l believe that am entirely within
my rights.
Il have nothing up my sleeve in the way or
scandal which would upset the city II I made
il public. I am not king any threats Many
things have crept into Town Topics for which
I am sincerely sOrry. but there has never been
a line published in effort to extOrt money or
because money WAS not paid
District Attorney Jerome was busy Yesterday
with the Equitable and did not take up the
Town Topics matter II is likely thar he viii
send for Colonel Mann to-day, although he
would not say that such his intention yes
terday. Ii is understood at the Criminal Courts
Building that several OF the subscribers 20 'FadS
and Fances" have been subpOsnaed and will Be
questioned to the conditions under which they
subscribed.
After dinner last evening Colonel Mann De
cided that ne was well enough TO get out of
bed Mrs. Mann and hts physician tried 70 keen
him in the house. but, declaring that there were
certain facts that he must get possession OF n
once he went out Late in the evening he was
in conference with Justice Deuel. and forner