The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-06
RTDDER SUES HEARST
PAPER FOR S25O,OOO
Charges "Amcrican" Libelled
Him In Article About War
Munitions.
CITES GERMAN VIEWS

Herman Ridder. publisher Of the
Stddfs-zeitnnD. Med suit In the Supreme
Court yesterday gains, the sta Com
pany. publistc or Of the New York Ameri-
can. for s25o.00o damages for libel. The
suit Is based on n page story In the
American of May 30 last TO tire effect
that while Mr.. Ridder has been op-
posing vigorously the shipment from this
country OF munitions OF war for tho
Allies tho plant of the international
TypesettIne Machine Company. which
Mr.. Ridder controlled when II went into
the hands of a receiver last December,
was carrying out a contract for aero
parts for the British Government.
The complaint states that at all times
Mr.. Ridder has been IAN American citi.
zen of German descent and prominent
in society and circles composed OF Ger
man subjects and American citizens Of
German descent" and that he has been
a member OF various clubs composed OF
such persons, in addition TO being presi-
dent OF the Nop Yorker Staats-Zettung
and the A%bendbiatt der Ner Yorker
-Zeitung companies.
MIR. Ridder states that on numerous
occasions both In his newspapers and
otherwise he has publicly supported and
symparsized with the Imperial Gov
m OF Germany IN the war now
existing between the said Imperial Gov
OF Germany and her allies and
the Government OF England and her al
lies" He says that by publication In
his newspapers and otherwise he has
publicly protested against the export u
arms and ammunition and war supplies
by the manufacturers OF the United
States to England or allied countries
for use against TIE army and navy or
the Imperial Government OF
and her allies In the war now existing
and has publicly advocated by publics-
ton and otherwise the enactment oy
Congress OF sue laws as will prevent
the said export of said arms and am
munition and war supplies"
The complaint states that Mr.. Riddle
has always been sincere and earnest in
his supper and sympathy with sa'
Imperial Government Of Germany In the
war and In his protests against the
exportation OF arms and munitions ar,
IN the advocacy OF laws 10 prevent sucn
exports."
Mr.. Ridder says the defendant. well
knowing these facts, published the al
eyed libellous matter concerning MIN,
including his picture. In a prominent part
OF the American. and falsely charged
that the pla,ntln was .nsincere In his
said support. sympathy. protest and ad-
yocacy, and was a hypocrlte and a pro
fessional agitator. and was ngage IN
en~gendering n encouraging class and
factional feelings OF hatred among the
citizens OF the United States, and was
fmpelled by sordid and mercenary mo
tives and making money and capital out
u said war
Mr.. Ridder charges that In making
auch allegations against him the defeno'
Ant was '~actuated by express and actual
malice n by a desire and design 70
rent its personal Ill will and vengeance
and feeling against the plaintin. n TO
ruthlessly impair. inture and destroy the
character. reputation and fame OF tho
plaintiff"
The article on which Mr.. Riddle bases
his suit set forth that he was president
of the International Typesetting Ma.
chine Company, and his son. Joseph r..
Ridder. was treasurer that when Ers-
kline Hewitt Was appointed receiver last
December Mr.. Ridder stated that the
proceeding was a friendly action" and
that Joseph L. Ridier has had a desk in
The office OF the receiver since the latter
took possession OF the bankrupt's plant
In Brooklyn. II alleged that the plant
has been working on a contract for l,4OO
parts for British ae~roplanes, and stated
That when Mr.. Riders attention was
brought TO the matter he disclaimed any
responsibility for the acts Of the COM
pany after the receiver was appointed.
and said that even II the company did
have a contract with the British Gov
ernment he was poweIless to prevent the
completion Of the contract,
THE company has not. however. have
been informed. made any munitions OF
war up to this time" Mr.. Ridder was
quoted as saying.