The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-24
SUIT ID BE ENTERED BY BARNES AGAINST , BULL MOOSE LEADER
Feels Hinman Endorsement Was an Injury-RO0seveIt Says He Can Prove All
 His Statements

New York, July 23.-Chairman William Barnes of the republican state commit tee today announced he had instructed his counsel to bring suit for libel against Theodore Roosevelt, based on Colonel Roosevelt's statement of last night at taeking MT. Barnes and indorsing, more over, the candidacy of Harvey D. Hin- man for the nomination for governor at the republican primaries.
 An amount of damages apparently had not been determined upon when he issued his count. It was said that it would be for substantial sum. The case will be brought in the supreme court within d flew days, MT. Barnes declared. "I have nothing whatever to say in re- ply to MT Roosevelts diatribe. except that it lacks dignity, self composure. and is without foundation" Mir. Barnes statement continues: "When an issue ot this type is raised by a person of such prominence, one has but, one of three courses. To submit to the aspersion; to enter into an unseemly personal contro- versy, or to appeal to the courts:
 q deny the truthfulnsss of every state ment made by MT. Roosevelt in his publi- cation today. and have instructed my counsel to bring an action for libel with nfout delay against him"
 New York, July 2S.-The complaint, which was served upon Colonel Roose- welt tonight, asks damages of s50000 on the ground that the statement issued by the former President last night contained reference to MT Barnes that were libel ous, false and untrue
 No specific statements of the colonel are instanced in the complaint the entire statement being reproduced with the all legation that the defendant published it ''maliciously and with intent thereby to injure the plaintiff, and without cause, and for the purpose of defaming and in turing the legitimate political influence and activity of the plaintiff in the per- formance of his duty of citizenship"
 Oyster Bay, N. Y, July 2s.-The obliga- tion to appear in court and defend him aelf against s50,000 libel suit begun by fjVilliam Barnes. Jr, chairman of the Republican state committee, was imposed Ion ex-President Roosevelt tonight with the serving of the papers in the cSse. A copy of the complaint was handed to him by James s. Y. Twins. of the law firm which is acting for MT. Barnes. According to MT. Wins it resaS with Colonel Roosevelt whether the suit shall be tried before election, or delayed per haps two years.
 Roosevelt Is Cordial
 Colonel Roosevelt had learned that the lawyer was on the way. Without await ing MT Wins explanation of his visit, he held out his hand and greeted him cordially.
 \ I'm very sorry.' MT, Wins began. "to fHisturb you in matter of this kind,' fbuf Colonel Roosevelt Would listen to no explanation of regret.
 That's all right he said. He invited Mr. Wins into his library and gave him a seat. MT Wins held out the papers he had brought with him. Colonel Roose- welt took them without a word. The men talked for a few minutes. Mir. Barnes name was not mentioned by eith- CT. Colonel Roosevelt showed his visitor to the door and shook hands with him again as he left.
 MT. Wins said that Mir. Barnes. when looking over the papers in New York, remarked: MT. Roosevelt last year did the very unusual thing of suing for libel a Michigan editor who called him a drunkard | am simply following the precedent he set
 Colonel Roosevelt declined to say what course he would pursue in the case. pre- serving silence until he had consulted his lawyers.
 Earlier tonight he indicated that he Twas ready to meet the issue and was confident of proving in court his state ments concerning MT. Barnes. When the proposed suit was mentioned al that time the cclonePs face grew stern for an in- stant. Then he laughed.
 Let MT. Barnes go on.' he said slowly. choosing his words with care. T have never said anything that I could not prove'
 That was all he would say