Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-10
SUPREME COURT HEARS
NEWSPAPER TANCLE
Arguments Are Presented In Compli-
Gated Affairs of Consolidated
News and Record. ~.
FIGHTS REVIEWED
Property Now in Hands OF Receiver
Under Order of Judge Her, From
Which News Register Company
Appealed-Neither Will Sell.
[special 10 The Times.Dispatch. l

lSpcClal Inc Times DlSpatCh.1
STAUNTON, VA. September s.-The
Virginia State Supreme Court of Ap-
peals heard arguments to-day In tho
celebrated Harrisonburg newspaper
controversy. history OF the politi-
cal nghts in Rockingham County and
the much-tangled newspaper difficulty
was fully aired The attorneys brought
lished in 1908 In 1911 the paper made
fight on George P. Keezel. who was
candidate for treasurer
Mr.. Keczel and his friends organized
company during the campaign. eecur
Ing a charter under the name OF the
Rockingham Publishing Company, and
began the publication OF the Daily
Record.
It is said that neither OF the papers
proved successful financial venture,
and they consolidated. The manage
mont OF the consolidated paper was
put under the control OF r. r. Smythe,
OF the Daily News. and Mr.. keezcl. OF
the Daily Record. They published It
under the name OF the Daily News
Record. This association of the two
papers continued until December. 1914,
when friction arose between Keezel
and Smythe and their respective par
tisans and hackers. This friction grew
out Of night for the control OF the
Federal patronage in that section OF
the State and certain editorials writ
ten by w. ]. Showalter. its editor.
Their differences continued with more
or loss acuteness until last April. when
the Rockingham Publishing Company
filed bill before Judge Holt, OF the
Rockingham Circuit Court PRAYING for
an injunction TO remove Smythe and
Snowalter from any connection with
the paper. To this bill the News
Register Company and Smythe filed an
answer and demurrer.
The defendants TO this action claimed
that the contract entered into in 1913
was null and void. Their contention
was upheld by Judge Holt Shortly
thereafter the Rockingham Publishing
Company presented another bill to
Judge Ker, Of the Corporation Court
OF stanton. asking that a receiver
be appointed to take over the affairs
of the consolidated company Judge
Ker overruled the demurrer OF the de-
PENDANT company. and appointed q re-
ceiver.
From this decree the News-Register
Company appealed to the Supreme
Court. and the arguments were sub
mitted to-day.
The situation is made all the more
complex because each OF the owners
positively refuses to sell out to the
other.
Hopkins ct al. VS.. City of Richmond
and Coleman vs. town Of Ashland
From Hastings Court OF city Of Rich
mond and Circus, Court OF Hanover
County. respectively: Judgments at
BY Judge r. ii. cardweii.
Wooden VS.: Commonwealth. From
Corporation Court of city of Buena
Vista. Judgment reversed.
Springs VS.. Virginia Railway G. Pow
er Company. Circuit cour, Of Norfolk
County. Judgment affirmed.
Wright ct al VS. Rabey. Circuit
Court Of Nansemond County. Judg-
Klaff vs.. Pratt. Court of Law and
chanceIy Of city of Norfolk. Decree
virginia Railway and Power Com
Of city of Norfolk. Judgment re-
Fields Watkins Company and Park
Hensley ct al. Circuit Court of Dick
enson County. Judgm.n, reversed
By George NJ Harrison:
Sutherland & Co.. VS.. Gibson. circuit
Court Of Russell County. Judgment re-
versed.
of Tazewen County. Decree reversed .
Virginia and Southwestern Railway
COMPANY vs. Skinner and Virginia and
Harris. Circuit Court of Wise County
Judgments reversed.
Isaacs VS.. 1saacs. Guardian and etc.
Circuit Court Of Russell County. De-
cree reversed.
Virginia Iron. Coal and Coke Com
pany VS.. Ashurys administrators. Cir
cult Court OF Wise County. Judg-
ment reversed.
Fulton VS.. Cox. ETC. Circuit Court
OF Grayson County. Decree reversed
Perdue. etc. VS. Starkey's heirs. Cir