Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-02-04
Publicity May
Force Indictment
Of T. E.. Watson
by RALPH sAEITH.


eral department of justice institutes
criminal prosecution of Thomas E, Wat
son for the circulation OF alleged OBJ
scene matter it will be due to the pub
licity given the activity of Georgia con-
gressmen in their efforts to prevent the
Indictment OF the publisher outside Of
Georgia.
1t is believed generally in Washing
ton that the activity of the congress-
men was inspired by Watson himself.
AS late as o'clock Monday evening
it is known that Attorney General Greg
DRY had never heard of the alleged move
ment to indict Watson outside of Geor-
gIa. although Assistant Attorney Gem
eral Wallace was giving consideration
t. the matter, which came to his at
tention through the regular routine
channels of the department. 1t is under
stood that a number of persons of reli-
gious faiths against which Watson has
directed much abuse have from time to
time written to the department of JUS
tice complaining against the character
Of Watsons publications and suggest
ing prosecution. In the regular course
of business these complaints fell into
the hand of Assistant Attorney Gen.
eral Wallace.
MAY FORCE ACTION
The publicity given to the visit of
the Georgia congressman to the depart
ment of Justice in Mr.. Watson's behalf
has, however, placed the matter in such
shape as to possibly force the attorney
general to take official cognizance or
the crimes with which watson Is
charged, so that If the department does
direct Watson's Indictment it will be
due wholly to the movement believed
in Washington to have been inspired by
the publisher himself
The publicity given the activity of the
/ congressman, considered in connection
with the character of Watson's alleged
obscenity, has removed the case from
the ordinary criminal channels and
given to 1t significance that may force
the department of Justice to take
hand in the prosecution. 1t is regarded
as certain that the efforts OF the con-
gressmen will bring to the attorney
general a deluge of letters and tele-
grams urging the indictment and prose-
cution of the publisher.
CAN INDICT ANYWHERE.
1t is within the province of any
United States attorney to direct a grand
tury's attention to the alleged crimes
of Watson, If the attorney has reason
/ TO believe that the alleged crimes were
committed within his district. And 1t is
possible, if not probable, that a United
States attorney in a jurisdiction outside
of Georgia may have Watson indicted
for the circulation of alleged obscene
matter. 1t would be unnecessary for
the department of justice to take Of
fetal cognizance of the matter in any
way.
The possibility of indicting Watson
outside of Georgia for the alleged cir
culation of obscene literature is by no
means novel The revised statutes OF
the United States amply cover the case
1t is unnecessary to indict and prose
| cute an alleged offender in the jurisdic-
| ton in which alleged obscene matter
was published. He is equally amenable
to the law for circulating the alleged
| obscenity as he is for publishing 1T,
and if it can be shown anywhere in
the United States that the person SO
indicted has circulated himself or
through agents obscene literature, he is
guilty of violating the law.
Under this law, it is stated Watson
can be indicted in Boston, Baltimore,
| Birmingham, San francisco or any
where else in the United States If 1t
can be shown that he has circulated
in these jurisdictions obscene matter
and it Is not incumbent upon the de
partment of justice to direct the pros
| ecution.
CONGRESSMAN DISAGREE.
Members of the congressional delega-
ton do not share the belief that their
| activity has furthered the possibility
| of the indictment of Watson outside OF
| Georgia. They insist that the depart
ment of justice has had the matter
under advisement for weeks, and they
believe, moreover, that the inquiry has
progressed with the approval of Attor-
ney General Gregory, his disclaimer tC
| the contrary Notwithstanding
Some weeks ago they learned of the
departments activities through Assist
ant Attorney General Wallace.
| Wallace told us then that the in
quiry was proceeding with the approx.
al of the attorney general" explained
Mr. Tribble. HE displayed considera-
BILE feeling in the mater, as 1 thought
and let us understand that an effort
would be made to indict Watson outside
of Georgia, in the hope of convicting
] him."