The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-01-24

| sacoia News in charge OF Ben Fl
Thomas, with pIenipotentiary powers
On December 81, 1918, Mr.. Thomas
came to me in Jacksonville and with
statements OF conditions in Pensacola
induced mo to turn over to him all OF
my holdings at that point. I practi-
cally turned the entire proposition over
to him on that date. Then with the
suspension of the First National bank
Of PesnacoLa the climax was reached,
and I concluded the assignment Of all
stock and interest TO Ben II. Thomas
Ny name wa taken from the mast
head of the editorial page or tho Pen
sacola News and since that date I
have not in any way had even the
slightest connection with that paper. 4
reference to the file OF that paper will
Substantial this atcment.
Il regret the proceedings instituted
against that aper. for Mr. Thomas s
sake, but Z am not interested other
wise.
{. E. HANSON.
"In regard 90 Nj. Hanson's state
mont I wish to give my signature az
evidence of the truthfuIness Of the
above, as one OF the owners who
traded with Mr.. Hanson, and TO say
that he but mildly states the case.
III. N. MILLER"
Statement BY Ben n. Thomas.
On January %, the day following the
publication Of the foregoing, the Jack
sonville Metropolis contained the fol-
lowing Pesnacola special:
Pensacola, Jan. IL Special)-The
Pensacola. News today is in the hands
of \. J. IllIard, receiver appointed last
night by Judge Sheppard of the United
States court here. It will continue
publication.
In reply to the statement published
yesterday BY c. z. Hanson that he
CIanson) had not been interested fl
nancially or otherwise in the Pensacola
News since January 1, notwithstanding
that Hanson editorialIy, on January II,
acknowledged that he was the publish
er OF the PensacoIa News, Ben II.
Thomas, general manager of the Pen
sacola News, today made the follow
ing reply:
Mr.. Hanson's attempt to shirk re-
sponsihility for the financial condition
of the Pensacola News by placing the
burden upon my shoulders evidences a
weakness that I did not think him
capable Of on January 1 I was in
Jacksonville for conference with Mr..
Hanson, and at that time he stated
that he wanted me to take over the
stock OF the Pensacola News. At that
time he agreed to sell me control of
the paper, for $4,000, payable $1,000
per annum, with the understanding
that if the notes could not be met at
maturity he would extend them at that
time. AT that time I was under the
impression that Mr.. Hanson had really
invested some Of his own money IN the
paper. Upon returning to Pensacola
that he had not invested a
single cent
81 attempted to save the property
by organizing a syndicate to settle
with creditors, but this was prevented
by the failure Of the First National
bank and the consequent financial
On January 10, I wrote
him a. letter in which I stated that the
only way for him to save the News
was to appear upon the scene with
about ten thousand dollars in real
money, as Pensacola had no opening
for hot-air operations any more. I sug-
gested that something might be done
by assignment of stock, but the stock
was not forthcoming, neither was the
money. After returning from Jack
I discovered that Mr.. Han
sons only investment consisted of ST.
900, which he got from the First Ma
tional bank. I do not own the News,
and never have Mr.. c. 3. Hanson is
sole owner to the best of my knowi-
edge and belief and I am ready to
make affidavit in support of my state
ment. Tuesday Mr.. Hanson wired me
rs follows:
Wire rush that 7 have full direc-
ton of editorial policy on state and
al nTi h04
business and local affairs. Stock mis-
sent, am sending"
'To this I replied:
"I appreciate your situation, and
regret I cannot comply with your re-
quest. 1 positively decline to be the
goat
Il have copies of letters and teIe-
grams which will bear out my state
nent that Mr.. Hanson is and has been
owner since his alleged purchase of the
News. Mr.. MiIer's endorsement of Mr.. |
danson's statement is decidedly mis-
eading. If Mr.. Miller would tell the
whole truth 1t would be found that
Mr.. Hanson has mildly stated the
case. Mr.. Hanson's name was renlov ed
rom the masthead Of the News by his i
order
Victor Hansen's Statement.
The Birmingham News OF January
2 contained the following:
Victor II. Hanson, principal owner |
md publisher Of the Birmingham |
News. in a statement just given out. |
sets at rest any possible impression
hat he is or has been connected with |
newspapers in Pensacola and Jackson |
Vile. His statement follows:
Il have just learned, through the Az |
ISOLATED Press, Of the bankruptcy pro-
instituted by Pensacola. cred !
tors against the Pensacola News. The !
Jews item referred to states that Han
son Brothers recently acquired this |
property Tbs statement might be |