The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-05-22
False Arrest and Malicious
Persecution" Grounds of
Suit, He Announces.
Is EXONERATED ON
CHARGE OF FORGERY
Actions Now Pending Involve
Millions OF Dollars in Sale
Territory Rights.

uuAe iDSti uCbGu il1N lawyer W
bring suit against Thomas a, Edison
for $4,000 damages for false arrest and
malicious persecution"
In an exclusive interview to THE
EVENING STAR James l.. Andem, of
Bloomfield, secretary of the New York
Phonograph Company. a prime mover
in dozens of lawsuits against the
great inventor, declared today that ho
would retalate for his indictment last
fall by Federal grand jury, and sub
sequent arrest on charge of forgery.
by bringing a suit for damages against
the Wizard of Menlo Park"
Il have retained Samuel r. Hyman,
of 302 Broadway, New York" Mr.. An
dem continued, las my counsel The
papers will be filed at once, and If
necessary l viii push the case to the
United States Supreme Court"
Mr.. Andcm's statement today fol-
lowed mis- acquittai late yesterday
afternoon by a jury in the United
States District Court at Trenton, of
tho charge of forging the name and
seal of the New England Phonograph
he represents, to the bill of complaint
in a suit instituted by that company
against the inventor.
Edison's lawyers, John r.. Helm and
Herbert w. Knight. of this city. main
tanned that Andem had fraudulentiy
signed the document. He was ar
rested last fall, held in the district at
torney's office at this place for half
tay and released when William Fahne-
stock. a New York millionaire, de-
posted 50 900 cash bail for his appear
ance.
Charges Intimidation.
When the case came to trial yester-
day, Merritt Lane, of Jersey Guy
Andem's lawyer, rested his case when
the witnesses for the State had testi-
fed. He contended that the plaintiff
had failed to prove his case.
Judge Lanning directed that ver-
dict of acquittal be given and without
retiring, the jury followed his charge.
This is merely an attempt on Mr.,
Edson's part to intimidatc me anu
prevent my going ahead with four law
suits involving millions Mr.. Anden
said. Instead of being intimidated, |
shall press the suits with renewed
vgor. And | firmly believe that my in-
dictment and arrest last fall on the
irumped-up charge of, forgery can be
traced back to the council chamber OF
Mr.. Edison and his associates.
With Mr.. Andem in the suit by the
.Iew England Phonograph Company
against Edison are associated John w.
Slater, of Statewide. r. l., millionaire
Woolen mill owner; George B. Post,
prominent New York architect;
Bleecker Van NVasencn. multi million
aire member of the publishing firm OF
Dodd. Mead & Co, Boston: Arthur E.
Denny. senior member of the banking
firm of Denny Rice & Co, Boston;
William L. Bull head of the banking
firm of Edward Sweet & Co. New
York; James Molinary, millionaire resi-
dent Of Far Rockaway. y. Y; Schuyler
Quackenbos, wealthy New York stock
broker. and L. J Mulford. publisher OF
the jewelers. Gazette, New York
Suits over Right to Sell.
The suit is for an accounting and for
an Injunction prohibiting the Edison
companies from selling their product in
New England except through the New
England Photograph Company, which
alleges it bought the right to sell the
Edison monographs in New England
for S2o5 900 and a block of stock in 1883
a similar suit is pending in the Fed
eral court 1t was the bill in this suit
on which Andem was indicted on u
charge of forgery.
The New York Phonograph Company.
nf which Andem IS secretary. bought
The right to sell Edison monographs in
New York about the same time. They
started a suit similar to the New Eng
land suit in the New York Supreme
Court. This suit was won by Anden,
and Edison was eujoined from selling
nbonographs anywhere in New York,
except through the New York company.
This injunction was disobeyed and a
short time ago the inventor was held in
contempt os court and fined $500 by
Judge Hazel An appeal, now pending,
was taken. the court requiring the Edi
son interests to furnish bond Of
s150 GOO.
A test case, started by Andem against
an Edison iobber was decided in An
fela's favor and on appeal. another
bond of $3.50 900 was furnished.
The future of the phonograph busi-
ness in o dozen or more States, involve
ing millions of dollars, will be deter
mined by the decision expected to lie
handed down shortly in the New York
contempt case.
Decoration Day Excursion to i.akg