Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-12
STOUGH DEFENDED AS
MORAL UPLIFTER AND
ASSAHED AS LTBELER
Arbitrators in $4,000
Slander Suit Hear Argu-
ments in Private Coun-
sci in Sharp Controversy
Over Methods.

WILKES BARRE. Pa, July 2-Arbi-
traitors In the $4,000 siander suit of Coun-
Gilman w. J. Cullen. of Hazleton. against
Evangelist Henry w. Slough, decided to
shut the doors to the public, when argu-
ment was heard today in the private
chambers Of Judge p. A. o'Boyie There
was room only for the interested parties
OF the suit
Paul J. Sherwood, one OF stough's law
yers. announced that he was opposed to
"star chamber" sessions and said he
would not make his argument in private.
He left the room. but came back and SAID
he was willing to go on.
Sherwood declared there was no cause
for action, because the plaintiffs state
ment and all the evidence showed the
sander to have been a privileged COM
municatlon, uttered in good faith by one
interested for the welfare Of society, and
hence was not actionable. There could
be no slander where an attack is made
in good faith, he said, and he quoted
decisions from Justice Paxon, that where
criticism is made on proper occasion and
with a proper notice there is no cause
for action. He also quoted State decisions
to show that a. communication may be
delivered for the welfare OF society.
Probable cause was shown. Mr. Sherwood
asserted when Doctor Slough received
word from Mayor Harvey that Cullen and
the other plaintiffs in the slander suits
were responsible for vice conditions in
Hazleton. He said Doctor Slough had
made Investigations and, from reports, he |
had ground for probable cause.
Mr.. Sherwood referred TO Luzerne |
County as the third black political spot |
In the State. First honors were given
County and second place to
Allegheny County.
Sherwood attacked District Attorney
John H. Bigelow, and alleged that as
county Official he permitted liquor inter
ssts TO violate the law. This statement
treated a tilt among counsel, but soon
passed over.
James Scarlet, of Danville, also of
counsel for Slough. said the statements
N which the suit was based did not show
lander per sc and held that there can
10 no award Of damages. Scarlet said
n the great uplift movement in the ma
ion. in the pulpit. in the press, from the
ostrum, and in private, the invisible
government" controlled by politicians 10
lways open to attack and asserts that
yhere there is suspicion there is also
robable cause.
District Attorney Bigelow pointed out
s slander certain words spoken from the
ulpit OF the Hazleton tabernacle Hold |
ng the four plaintiffs responsible for
isorderly houses. he said, was a suf-
Client cause for an action for slander.
'iEelow bitterly attacked the evangelist
nd charged that he had hidden behind
poor memory. He described Slough | I
S preacher looking for reward, who !
worshlps the god of gold and who cares
OF whom he harms so long as the golden
tream pours in
After Bigelow finished counsel on each
de submitted briefs to the arbitrators
he board has seven days in which to
lie an award, after they have agreed, but
hey have unlimited time in which to de-
berate on testimony and the arguments