The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-30
COMSTOCK TRIES T BACK OUT.
WILL DROP ART CASE If PAM
PHLETS ARE DESTROYED.

Says He wants TO Get at Men Of students
League. but Drass Two More Young
wOmen Into the Case-Every One In
Court Laughs Except h Puriter.
Anthony Comstock appeared at the West
Side police court yesterday morning to
continue the prosecution of ma Riebley,
the young woman bookkeeper whom he
accuses Of assisting in the circulation Of
the June catalogue Of the Art Students
League containing pictures Of a mar and
woman without any clothes.
The case was threshed out several weeks
ago in the jefferson Market police court.
1t was, agreed between Comstook and
Lawyer e. c. Crowley, representing the
league, that the real name OF the girl in
the case should not be mentioned, and
that for convenience. since her connection
in the affair was purely technical, she should
be called Miss Robinson. Comstock did
not keep his part OF the bargain.
Shortly before the hearing yesterday
Comstock said he had no intention to prose-
cute Miss Robinson personally.
Il want to get at the sneaking hounds
behind this woman skirts he said dra-
matically. Il know that more than a
thousand Of these circulars ave been sent
to young unmarried women and can pro-
duce az evidence at least forty-four names
of these. In brief. ! a to say the person
I'm after Is the employer OF the girl"
Throughout the proceedings most Of
the listeuers laughed frequently Com
stook never smiled.
Mr.. Crowley started the fun by declar-
ing that the complainant had specifically
stated at the last meeting that he had
finished with Miss Robinson. therefore
she was not present. This took a rise out
OF Comstock. He wanted the young lady
brought to court Immediately.
Il want to reopen this case TO bring the
real offender forth. Miss Robinson must
be present. ] want TO relieve her Of being
put IN the position of having sent out i'm
proper literature, when she is only an en-
ployee and is not responsible, II there
Ia a mar here responsible let him come
FORTH shouted ComstOck.
No one volunteered, but Nj. Crowley
d eclared that at the time the warrant was
issued be pleaded with Comstock to sub
stitute the name of a male member Of the
lea que for that Of the young woman. Com
stock, he declared, said that the papers
were made out and could not be changed.
At this juncture Magistrate Mayo took
occasion to reprimand the lawyer for neg
Letting TO apply Mister" when referring
TO the complainant. The lawyer COM
plieo with tho request under protest.
Mr.. Crowley said be objected to a con-
tinuation OF the proceedings. because it
WAS merely a fishing expedition" On the
part Of Comstock to get more evidence.
He said il wa unfair to subject Miss Robin
son to what the lawyer termed bad gering
treatment. Magistrate Mayo took offence
at this statement and Crowley ap~ologized.
stating he only referred 70 the contemplate
manner in which she was questioned.
Il am able Comstock said, TO prove
that there was a sale and delivery Of this
literature. Subscription blanks were sent
out and one of the Inducements offered
to purchasers was that for every sub
scription six months number would be
sent free. "a show that the book was :
not issued for art purposes but for ad-
vertising purposes and gain. Thousands
Of them were sent to misses not men or
married women, but young girls
He insisted that the case could not go
on without the presence OF the def endant, J
and also asked that Miss NJ. J. Mersereau
and Miss Catherine Harrington. two other
employees, be summoned.
I'VE all have the most profound SYM
patty" said Magistrate Mayo, FOR the
young woman and regret the position in
which she is technically placed, but I sug-
Qest that she should be here, in accordance
with legal requirements. There will be
no bantering or badgering-and I resent
the statement that there was last time. She
will receive the most respectful consld-
eration."
Comstock then said he would cease all
action if the art league would consent
to give an order to the District Attorney
to destroy the matter seized. The art
leaguers present only snickered.
long WranIla fOIlowRd "a 70 whether I
or not the hearing should be continued. |
The case was finally adjourned until this
morning. |
Mr.. Crowley caused considerable amuse-
ment to the spectators by refusing to give
Comstock the correct spelling Of the names
of the Misses Harrington and Mersereau. |
Comstock grew Initiated and it vas only
Magistrate Mayo pleaded with the
lawyer for the sake Of convenience TO give
the inf formation that il was forthcoming.