Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-30
MACHINE LEADER
GOOD TO PAPER
G. A. SMITH ADMITS HE GAVE
S275 TO DEFUNCT ORGAN
DEALINGS WITH LATE EVENING
NEWS TOLD IN COURT
Miss Mede Westerholm Granted Judg-
ment After Candidate for
Mayor Admits Small
Loan

George A. Smith, capitalist and ma
chine candidate for mayor of Los An
geles, exemplified his regard for the
rights of Iaborers in Justice Summer
fields court yesterday when, indirectly,
he became plaintiff in suit for wages
against the Los Angeles Press, puplisn-
ers of the recently detunct EVehllls
News. and through a technicallty was
given Judgment over the demands OF
the newspapers employees VIM Hau 4''
stituted prior claims. ~
The suit was that of Miss Mede Wes-
terholm for $210 in claims assigned "
her by employees and $14 on her own
account as assistant to Winfield Scout
manager of the paper.
August IA the stereotypers enhployeu
by the paper demanded their wages
and said they would do no more "olA
until they were paid. u,
'I appealed to Smith for assistance
said Scott in his testimony. lie gave
me 1915 to tide the paper over, put
when 1 returned to the office l touhu
that the men had been paid by Joseph
Mesmer, publisher of the paper. l gave
the money to Miss WesterhoIm, telllng
her to pay the wages of the printers
and have them assign their claims
against the paper to her. She PAID OUT
and this is included in her suit
Clsimed 1t Was Donation
]. M. Reagan, attorney for the Los
Angeles Press, contended that the mon
ey given to Scott was not loan, out
donation for the purpose of gaining the
support of the paper in his political as
pirations. Claims of employees aggre-
eating more than $1,000 are still out
standing against the defunct newspa-
per. and if the S210 was allowed to MISS
Westerholm, who would give 1t to Scott
and by him be paid to Smith, the en-
ployes would lose that amount.
Smith wanted the paper to live.
Scott knew it, and that's the reason he
went to Smith and got that money
said Attorney Reagan. I'VE contend
this money was a contribution, a dona-
tion and not a loan."
Scott insisted it was a loan to help
the paper over the shoals.
'I dominated the policy of the paper,
Scott declared, but at that time was
carrying on policy of waiting and not
taking sides until the fight was begun.
/ was opposed only to Alexander"
The machine candidate also was
witness, and nervously corroborated
Scott's statements, as if apprehensive
of the effect his words might have on
his chances in the mayoralty election.
"I gave Scott $275 to tide the paper
over" he said. 1T had no assurance of
support from him. I supposed the pa
per was going to support Parish or
Mushet."
Did Scott tell you he wanted the
money to pay off the men?" prompted
Miss Westerholm's attorney.
YES" replied Smith, but noting the
smiles of the half hundred spectators,
he qualified his answer by hesitatingly
adding, II believe So"
Justice Summerfield gave judgment
in favor of Miss Westerholm for the
full amount of her suit, a technical ad-
vantage having been gained by her, and
indirectly by Smith, in attaching the
property of the paper a step which the
attorneys for the employees would not
take because it would mean additional
expense to their clients and a decrease
in the amounts due them.
Notice was given by the Los Angeles
Press that an appeal will be taken to
the superior court.