Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-06-04
WATSON DEMANDS
IMMEDIATE TRIAL;
GOES TO MAKE BOND
United States Marshal White
Reaches Thomson to Serve
Federal Warrant for Sending
Obscene Matter in Mail

THOMSON Ca, June 3--At o'clocA
this afternoon United States Marsha,
White served the warrant on Thomas
e. Watson, and nrr. Watson was placed
under arrest. Accompanied by Marshal
white, several OF his friends and hii
brother, mr.. watson left in his OWE
automobile for Augusta to Arrange
bond.
Especial Dispatch to The Journal)
THOMSON. Ca, June 3.-Armed with
federal warrant for the arrest OF
Thomas E. Watson. editor of Watson s
Magazine and other publications, wso
is charged with having sent obscene
matter through the mails, United States
Marshal George E. White. of the United
States court for the southern district of
Georgia, arrived in Thomson on the
noon train from Macon.
With the arrival of Marshal White to
serve the warrant came the announce
ment that Mr.. Watson had demanded
an Immediate preliminary trial This
first step failed TO secure the trial for
today. as United States District Attor-
ney Akerman, who has been assisting IN
had called him to Washington.
Mr. Watson wired Attorney Alderman
today making the demand for a pre-
lfminary trial at once. Attorney Aker-
man answered, however, that owing to
his other engagement, il would be Inn
possible for the trial to be held today.
Mr. Watson will appear before Unit
ed States Commissioners w. H God
win in Augusta this afternoon. hwere
steps will be taken for the naming and
fixing of bond for Mr.. Watson. The
late arrival of Marshal White prevent
ed Mr.. Watson going TO Augusta on the
train that reaches there at 2:20 o'clock
Consequently the trip from Thomson
to Augusta viii be made in the atuo-
mobile of Mr.. Watson. Accompanying
Mr. Watson and Marshal White viii
be j. F. Watson, a brother Of MIR. Wat
son. and several friends, who viii ar
range the bond that will be required by
United States Commissioner Goodwin.
II is understood that Mr. Watson will
make every effort to secure as early
trial as possible. The telegram be for
warded to Attorney Alderman indicates
that he viii ask that his case be heard
Immediately. 1t is not known when
Attorney Akerman will return.
The article which District Attorney
Akerman declares is obscene is printed
in the Latin language in Watson's mas
azine Tor May. and is part Of an attack
on what Mr.. Watson calls the Roman
Catholic Hierarchy.
Mr. Akerman denies the statement Of
Watson. that the move is a political one
in any way.
The matter was brought to his atten-
ton by the postoffice inspectors, and ne
vas asked for an opinion as to the Cb-
scenity Of the article in question.
After having the article translated
into English. Mr.. Alderman at once de-
cided that the language was very ob-
scene. and that a warrant should be is
sued.
The United States district attorney
stated that after he had read the trans
lations he was convinced that the mat
ter was obscene. He only waited fer
the arrival OF Postoffice Inspector Sims
to make the necessary affidavit before
the warrant could be issued.
Especial Dispatch TO The Journal)
AUGUSTA Ga, June at is un-
derstood that Thomas E. Watson en-
deavored TO secure an Augusta attor-
ney to represent him in the preliminary
trial, but was unsuccessful. United
States Commissioned Godvin says that
he would fix bail tonight but that he
would continut the case ~ preliminary
| trial wasn't demanded by Watson. un-
til the district attorney is on hand. =