The Detroit times., 1909-02-01
JEROME HAS POWER
TO BEGIN LIBEL
! PROCEEDINGS
v. s. DISTRICT ATTORNEY RE-
PLIES TO HIS INQUIRY REGARD
ING SUIT AGAINST NEWSPAPER
REGARDING CANAL DEAL.

NEW YORK, Feb. United State
District Attorney Henry l.. Snmso
has given District Attorney Jerom
authority 10 proceed against the Ne'
York World for the publication OF a
alleged libelous article regarding tn
Panama canal deal. Mr.. Jerome ha
asked Stimson II action In the stat
courts on behalf OF Douglas Robinson
The presidents brother-in-law, woul
be an unwise interference with tn
actions begun under the federal jurif
iiction.
MY Dear Sir--I have received
your letter OF Jan. 20. and have
given II careful attention. The
series OF publications In the New
York World to which you refer
has for some time been under my
consideration.
These publications. which
concur with you In considering
libelous. appear to have been cir
culated by the newspaper In ques-
ton in a number OF distinct and
independent jurisdictions and to
contain charges rejecting upon
the personal character OF a number
OF men, OF whom some are In public
life and some are private citizens.
In each of these jurisdictions.
under well-known principles Of
law, each Of these publications
would constitute a separate Of
Tense and as It happens In this
case. each Is characterized by dis
tinct and peculiar features.
Your letter makes clear the Of
tense against the laws Of New
York state, constituted by the at
tack upon the reputation Of Mr..
Robinson. circulated among his
friends and neighbors IN New
York county.
May BE Another Victim.
The circulation OF similar
charges Of personal corruption or
dishonor against a gentleman who
occupied the position OF head OF
the war department. among the
officers and men Of the army resi-
dent upon the military reservation
In my district, or among the resi-
dents OF the District OF Columbia,
where the war department Is stu
ated. may we'll engage the atten-
ton Of the officials whose duty It
is to enforce the law In those
localities.
But while these alleged Of
lenses thus possess features which
are distinct and TO certain ex-
tent peculiar to those different
jurisdictions, they all relate TO the
same general subject matter. the
Panama canal purchase. and a
prosecution for any one OF them
bears a necessary relation to. and
will be tc solne extent peculiarly
affected by the result OF a prosecu-
ton for any other.
In such a situation | conceive
that II is the duty OF all prosecu-
tors not to allow any conflict OF
Jurisdiction 10 jeopardize an ulti-
mate conviction, but TO take up
the work In spirit OF harmonious
cooperation with the common aim
that the offenders shall be eventu-
forum where that end can be most
suitably and effectively accomp-
-iisfl.. I have conferred with the at
torney-general and am authorized
to say that his views coincide
with my own.
Duty is Defined.
In answer, therefore, to your
query as to whether prosecution
on your part would be regarded
as a conflict with such matters as
the federal authorities have juris-
diction over beg to inform you
that such action on your part will
in nowise be regarded as an inter-
ference, but, on the contrary. we
shall regard II as our duty to CO
operate with you In all proper and
lawful ways.
In all OF these several jurlsdic-
lions the truth OF these alleged
libels would In the present case
constitute complete defense to
the prosecution. Should such a
defense be attempted, II IL mani
festly OF the utmost importance
tudt tuls qutstlOn as I'D the tTuIn
or falsity OF the publications
should be presented to the court
In the light OF the fullest possible
evidence. and be settled for all
time beyond the possibility OF a
doubt.
You may. therefore. be assured
OF my cordial cooperation in
bringing 10 light all facts relating
TO this transaction. and am hap
by to offer you access To all
sources OF information under my
official control. In the same way
should be very glad to be fur
nished by you with any evidence
which your Investigations may
disclose.
Very respectfully yours