Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-10-25
CHARGES CRIMINAL LIBEL.
Candidate for Governor Swears Out
Warrant for Arrest of Editor.

Philadelphia, Oct. 24.-JOhn X. Ten
er, Republican candidate for governor
of Pennsylvania, today swore out Il
warrant for the arrest OF +. A. Van
Nalkenburg. editor and president of
the North American Co. Of this city,
charging him with criminal libel
The warrant was issued by Magis-
trate William j. Gallagher but it
was not served. Francis S. Brown, A.
6. L. Shields and George s. Graham,
counsel for Mr.. Tener and leading
attorneys OF Philadelphia sent let
ter to Mr.. tan Nalkenburg informing
him of the action the gubernatOrial
candidate mad taken and notifying
him that q hearing in the case would
be held on Friday.
Mr.. Van Nalkenburg. through his
counsel james G. Gordon. Immediate
ly replied that he was ready for a
hearing any day this week, preferably
today. Mr.. Tener'S counsel in their
reply stated that as Mr.. Tener was on
a speaking tour it was impossible for
him to appear today and therefore
the case would be heard Friday
The warrant issued today is based
on an attack begun by the North
American on Oct. IL. against Mr.. Ten
er'S business integrity. The charges
have been reiterated daily. Briefly
they asserted that Mr.. Tener vas "a
friend and associate of SWindlers."
1t is charged that Mr.. Toner at the
time a member of Congress. sold his
name to the National Public Utilities
Corporation so that he could be eX-
plotted as the president of the corpor-
alton. For this. the charges aver
he agreed to accept $4,000 per year in
salary and was given $4,000 worth
of stock in the concern. The charges
characterize the National Public
Utilities Corporation as a "fraudu-
lent and swindler corJoration," which
is supposed to lie interested in Pa
elf" coast development and the own
or of project railroad in Oregon
known as the Astoria, Seaside & Till
amook Railroad co. The charges
further declarr that this is paper
railroad having no physical existence
In Subsequent publications the North
American printed names Of men con-
ncctaa with the company who it as
serted are either convicted or I'M
convicted swindlers. The newspaper
also charged THAT Mr. Tener. with sew
eral business associates. sold coll
trolling interest in the Security Life
& Annuity Co, TO q man ii declared
to be 4 swindler and that the latter
merged this company with a concern
which has its headquarters in Chicago.
Mr.. Tener last night issued long
formal statement denying the charges
made by the North American. He
admitted that he had been connected
with the National Public Utilities Cor
poration for about three months and
that he resigned and severed his con-
nection with the company because of
pressure of business in connection with
his duties as congressman He al
so admitted receiving $1,000 in stock,
Which he returned. He added that he
believed and still believes the COM
pany to be legitimate and also believes
tho object of the company can be
carried out. which is the building of
a railroad from Astoria to a point be-
yond Seaside in Oregon.
Continuing he says:
Il never promoted the National Pub
lie Utilities Corporations was not a
participant in its promotion: never
sold any of its stock or solicited any
body 10 buy any Of it's stock My