New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-20
HALL,P0ET SIREN,
GETS TWO YEARS
Must Do a Solo. Marching
Through Georgia. for
Duping Song Writers.
S35 CONTEST FEES
NETTED HIM $4,000
Scheme Most fragrant Swindle
Ever Under My Observation"
Judge Declares.

There will be JOY in Lum. Mich, to-
day when the author Of swat the Fly"
learns that the man who defrauded her
has been found guilty. A Philadelphia
blacksmith will swing his sledge with
added vigor this morning as he hears
that the man who swindled him with
his boy Scout" song will have TO
spend two years in the Federal peni-
Tertiary at Atlanta. New York's Tin
pan Alley will be buzzins its approval
fortissimo at the news of the convic-
tion.
OF the inhabitants Of this planet
who have written the words Cor a song
betweel adolescence and that variable
age OF discretion, not one Will fail TO
register satisfaction that a dishonest
song publisher has been brought to
Justice. To those whose wealth sut-
fered only temporary setback from
their musical aspirations the present
incident will bring only amusing reeol-
lections, but 10 the mass o. needy
widows, girls and folks who took bread
out Of their mouths in the nope OF later
eating the cake of royalties the pres
ent verdict means more than pecunlary
satisfaction. go
John T. Hall, alias Newcomb, did not
finch Yesterday as he stood before
Judge Foster in the Criminal Branch
of the Federal Court and heard the
sentence pronounced. He did not even
Glance toward the witness chair where
song writer's have been testifying OF
their blasted hopes. He took the YER
dict in silence.
"The scheme tatt you operated oy
means of the mails is the most fragrant
swindle hat has ever come under my
observation" declared Judge Foster,
leaning forward and looking Hall
straight IN the rvc. There IS no ex-
cuse for man - your age and IN
telligence. and ctpecislly one VINO mas
written good music, to engage IN sucn
a despicable ente prise.
The Jury delibarated for an hour be-
fore bringing in -neir verdict 81 guilty.
on all counts Of re three indictments
against Hall fo- Using the mails 10
defraud song writer's. When they sent
for parts of the evidence il seemed as
il there might be a disagreement. but
the final vote was unanimous, as a poii
of the Jury after tic verdict indicated:
George Gordon Battle. who defended
Hall. immediate,y moved that the YER.
dict be set ASH. and d new IRA,
granted. but his motions we're denis
bv judge Fost.-. who then thanke'i
the Jury for theic work. Following
whispered conversation with Hali. NJ
Battle said that re had not yet de-
cided whether thcie would be an ap-
peal.
Oh TO testify out OF l,5OO VINO were
affected by Halls methods had all left
for home before the verdict vas
/ rendered. They were poor persons
who could i'll affcId to remain IN the
city whel they received sl.6O DAY as
witnesses and cents mile Tor their
travelling expenses.
Many mad be:a contestants IN the
prize lyric contest which Hall con-
5rcted from Auqyct to October, 1914,
With the hope o. winning one OF the
nri1e. of $3.50, $50 and $50 which were
offered. II is SSH! that Hall realized
more than $4,000 from the contest
and. according to the testimony in the
trial. the prizes we're never awarded.
Hall was arresreG on November 49,
1914, after an invt stigation by POST
office Inspector Mayhew.
II was brought out BY Assistant
United States Attorney Julian I. Hart,
ridge that the ": tiers had paid Hall
from $50 to s35 for publishing their
| songs. and then lad received only q
/ few cents of royalty. If any. A STACK
Of the songs in tkeir bright hued Gov
ers lay on the couf sells table through
B out the trial. "nd various humo r,i
were introduced INTO the evidence. ! ne
authors ranged from clergymen to ian
3 80 and the IN ,ues from love 70 SAM
tation. 1900;
cal circles that thus verde, was but A
| step in the right direction