Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-15
Alleges That John A. Hennessy
Made False Accusation
Against Him.
CHARGE OF BLACKMAIL
AND MISUSE OF FUNDS
Controversy Dates Back to Campaign
in New York for Election
Of Gov. Dix.

ALBANY. N. z. September 15.-Nor-
man E. Mack, former chairman Of the
democratic national ana state commit
tees. failed to appear today before John
A. Hennessy. Gov. Sulxers special
investigator. to answer charges of having
failed to account for moneys contributed
to him for campaign purposes. Instead.
Mr.. Mack, through his secretary. served
Mr.. Hennessy with summons and COM
plant in five-thousand-dollar action for
libel.
Mr.. Mack complains that Hennessy has
caused to be published charges In eff
feet that ,..e plaintiff unlawfully appro-
priated to his own use moneys con-
tributed by others as campaign fund
toward the election OF John A. Dix as
governor Of the state OF New York, and
said publication also charges In effect
that the plaintiff blackmailed individuals
and corporations In connection with the
collection of campaign funds
Was Willing to Testify.
Following the publication Of Mr.. Hen
nessy's charges Mr.. Mack announced his
willingness to appear before the investi-
gator at any time and place he might
designate. Mr.. Hennessy then fixed the
hearing at Albany this morning.
After waiting with stenographers for
half an hour Mr. Hennessy announced
that as neither Mack nor Arthur A. Nc
Lean Of Newburgh, treasurer OF the
democratic state committee. had appear
ed, the session stood adjourned. He add.
ed that Mr.. Mclean had been served
with q subpoena and had accepted the
usual fee In that connection. also that
Mr.. Mack had specifically agreed to be
present promptly at the appointed time.
Mr.. Hennessy had hardy left the hear
ing chamber when Mack's secretary ap-
peared, explaining that delayed train
vas responsible for his failure to appear
promptly. The service Of the legal papers
followed.
Hennessy Makes Statement.
Mr. Hennessy In a statement today
says:
MIR. Mack. instead OF coming, sent his
secretary to serve me In libel suit In
the letter explaining this suit he an
nounces that under instructions from his
counsel he will not appear before me. In
his letter also he states that IL will
answer the suit for libel they will guar
aYttee me a speedy trial in the courts. !
will make a speedy answer. l predict the
case will never come to trial. Mack could
not be drawn into the court even by his
two bosom friends. Charley Murphy ami
Boss Fitzpatrick.
OF course. am rather itching to make
public the evidence which I have collect
ed, and I would have made public much
of 1t today in the questions which l
would have asked Of Mack.
Offers to Prove Everything.
II do not regard 1t as wise now to
make public what have. because l
trust that Gov. Sulzer will be able. when
relieved Of the impeachment resolution.
to call an extraordinary session OF the
grand Jury in Albany county and there
will prove everything that I have said
respecting Mack and Mclean
Concerning Mr.. Mclean. treasurer OF
the democratic state committee. who
also failed to appear today, the state
ment says Mclean. of course, does not
dare to come in any event. His case 10 for
the first grand Jury we can take 1t TO-"
Charges Of the gravest nature respect
ing the alleged misuse Of campaign
funds are included In Mr.. Henneesy's
statement