Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-01-18
BIG LIBEL SUIT
AGAINST MY. WORLD
Senator Rayner introduces ReSO-
luton Calling on Atty.-Gen.
For Information.
UNDER WHAT LAW BROUGHT?
Dcsircs To know IN That n Under
Particular statute it May
Bc Repealed.

Washington. Jan. lS-A resolution
was introduced today by Senator
Bayusr or Maryland calling on the
attoruoy-Eoncral for Information con-
corning Tho bringing of a suit for libel
against certain newspapers. Mr.. Ray
nor asked for immediate consideration,
saving the only purpose was TO get
Information whether This suit had been
ordered whether IL was brought al the
instance OF the president under what
statute. by whom ordered and by what
power and authority the courts arc be
ing used to forward this suit
The resolution went over till tomor-
Tow. under senate rules, objections 90
immediate adoption having been led
boy Senator Lodge
The suit which President Roosevelt
Us believed go have ordered brought
against the Press Publishing company
of New York. uu account of charges
boo The New York World that certain
Well known persons including Douglas
Robinson. brothcr-in-law of the presi-
dent and a.. p. TAFT brother Of the
uresidcnt-clect were Interested in the
purchase of the Panama canal prop
erty, inspired The Rayuer resolution.
Addressing the senate In support o.
the resolution, Mr. Rayner said there
libel of the government
III any suit Is being prosecuted.
said Nj Rayncr eve want 10 know
under what statute ID Is being brought
because We ought 20 have an Oppor-
tuuity 90 repeal that statute on the
ground that lt is violation OF the Con-
stltution, because &c abudges the nee
dom of the press.
"If the attorney general is not pro-
h. ~
violating the laws Of the country"
Mr.. Lodge suggested that IL was i'm
portaut 20 know whether this was libel
OF The government or was being brought
by the attorney on behalf OF in
dividuals.
AIR Rayner retorted that be proposed
90 show that tho circuit courts have no
jurisdiction in either case.
senator Knox. IuteTuptlug said thai.
assuming that the position OF the sen
ator was sound. be- stll thought there
were matters tor the defense 20 con
slider.
pROCEEDINGS HALTED.
Sow York. Jam ls-The nature OF
tle proceedings which have been in
satuted asalnst the New York World
and the Indianapolis News because OF
their criticisms OF the method by which
The purchase OF tho Panama canal was
made, WIS not disclosed m the brief
hearing ln court here today Acting
under instructions believed 10 have
been been issued hy authority OF the
United states government, II = Dist.
Atty. Stimson had subpoouaed william
a.. Mclaughlin sporting editor Of the
World, ana j Angus shaw, secretary
of Tine Press Publishing company, 20
testify before "a federal grand jury to-
day iu am action which is not described
Don the suhp0enaos d. WIS believed.
however, 90 Doe Tho outcome OF Ppasi-
dent EpOseVeItH message 30 Congress
in which Dee protested against the link
ing VI the names of Charles r. Tar.
brother OF the pnosilent-eleet. and j
Douglass Robinson. the presidents
brother-iu-laW, in criticisms OF the ca
nal purchase.
Tho proceedings were halted by an
order obtained By counsel for the
Worlds editors calling upon SIR. slim
SON 10 show cause why the subpoenaes
should not bo Quashcd.
Brief argument was heard by United
states Circuit Judge Henry @ Ward
today on the motion t0 Quash the sub
pueuacH after which an adjournment
was taken until this afternoon. when
Judge ward Wil hear further arsu-
Ueuts.
j 81 Bowers of counsel for Mr. Me-
Llughlin and Mr. shaw. argued chat
the form of the subpoonas was illegal
lnasmuch as the following concluding
words OF the subpoena Tin "a certain
cause now pending ana undetermined
m This said court between the ". So
wore crossed out making the subpoeuaa
read to Testify t9 what they may know
generally