Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-01-25
THE UNscRUPULoUs METHODS
Continued from Page OneD

pings from Town Topics and again urS-
cd him to subscribe to "Fads and Fan
cies'' but he did not do so. After that.
the witness said, more items about Mr..
Baker and his family appeared in
| Town Topics and Mr.. Baker went again
to see Col. Mann.
He informed me that there had been
definite change in the running of
Town Topics and that it was to be run
on a higher plane. because he was as
ISOLATED with better people," said Mr..
Baker. Il told him that l wanted to be
let alone and he promised that I would
not be troubled again. He again asked
me to subscribe for 'Fads and FancieS,'
and said that he was going to send a
solicitor to see me. Mr.. Irving after
wards called on me with a letter from
Col. Mann. He said Col. Mann was
very much offended because l would not
subscribe for "Fads and Fancies."
Irving told him in substance. the wit
ness said, that Col. Mann would be ''ex-
| of Town Topics was worth having.
Mr. Baker again refused to subscribe
to "Fads and Fancies."
In May. 1902, Mr.. Baker said he had
a third interview with Col. Mann. He
wanted to borrow money" said wit
ness. He wanted me to take five
shares of Town Topics stock for $4,000.
I said that | was not interested i'm
Town Topics or its stock" Mr. Baker
refused to take the stock. Col. Mann
he said. promised to see him again and
although the witness told him it was no
use. Col. Mann went to see him in Bal
timore. said he was sorry and that the
friendship of Town Topics was worth
having and urged him to recon -iGcr.
Mr.. Baker did not subscribe for "F,ds
and Fancies."
Edwin M. Post, a stock broker. was
the next witness. Mr. Post preferred
charges of blackmail against Charles
Able. Il solicitor for the publication
called Americas Smart Set Mr. Post
testified that Able came to his office
with letter from Mr.. Wayne of Town
Topics on June 20, 1905.
HE said" continued Mr.. Post. that
stories had been printed about my con-
n"ctiOn with the races. | told him was
sorry and that | hoped it would not
occur again. 1--WE have an article in
Town Topics about you he said and
the boys want to put it in. At this 1
became suspicious and asked him how
much the book cost. He said $500. |
said 1t was a pretty coed price and
asked how much the book really cost
He replied $50. I asked who got the diff
ference and he replied that the boys
got part and that the rest went high
er up
The witness told how he presented
the case to the assistant district attOr-
ney.
District Attorney Jerome opposed
further testimony from Mr.. Post. maxi
ing the following statement to the
court:
MY theory of the Society Editors AS
ISOLATION is that it was composed of a
coterie of blackmailers who carried on
their schemes under Col. Mann's nose
in the office of Town Topics. I don't
think that any logical view will per-
nit of either Col Mann or Justice
deuel. being responsible for what Able
said to Mr. Post. because the connec-
ton is not close enough"
Both Mr.. Osborne and Mr.. Shepard
Of the defence contended that the let
tetr of Introduction from Wayne, writ
ten on the paper of Town Topics which
Able presented to Post indicated that
there was connection between Town
Topics and Americas Smart Set.
Justice Fitzgerald ruled that Mr..
Posts evidence was not admissible and
all Of it was ordered stricken from the
record of the proceedings.
Charles Wayne. formerly managing
Editor If Town Tcnics. was recalled. He
ide''-'f"" some annnvnous paragraphs
''rhliehed in 1909 and 1919 refer7.in- IT,
Or. Seward Webb and. James Ger
Z II HA ii 81. --