Evening star., 1916-10-04
FAKE ADVERTISING
CASE IS ON TRIAL
southwick Shops Official First
to Be Prosecuted in the
District.

The first trial in the District of Co.
lumbia of a charge Of violation of thu
false advertising law, passed by Con.
gress May % last, opened today in the
Police Court, when Henry c. South.
wick. as an individual and also as sec.
retary and treasurer of the Southwich
Shops, Incorporated, together with the
incorporation, was charged with the
offenSe.
The case, which is expected to con-
tinue more than a day, is being heard
in the United States branch of the
court before Judge Alexander r. Null
lowny and a jury
The three informations set forth that
Mr.. Southwick and the incorporation
on August last, at the Southwick
Shops, Incorporated, located at 14th
street and New York avenue northwest,
did unlawfully, with intent to barter
and sell goods, wares and merchandise,
display and exhibit to the public from
the windows and the counters certain
placards and posters containing false,
untrue and misleading statements" in
that various goods named in the in
formation were of certain value, where
as they were not as represented.
Tell of Purchases at Store.
A A Crawford, a photographer, was
the first witness. He identified photo
graphs which he said were of the show
windows of the Southwick Shops, In
corporated, at 14th street and New
York avenue. and which he testified he
took August 4.
Constantin E. La Vigne of 1859 Merid-
ian place, representing the American
LNnt do nStt 6n1 fhof
August 4 and at other times he saw
placards and signs displayed in the
shop windows of the defendant. He
said there was a placard bearing the
statement that Palm Beach suits val
uod at $40 and s12 were being sold for
S4S5.
The witness said he was assured by a
clerk in the store that the suits were
valued at $40 and $12 and that he pur-
chased one for $4.S5. He testified
further he purchased a shirt for $1.29
which was advertised by means of a
placard to be valued at $3.50, and also
that he was further assured by the
clerk that the shirts were of such
value. He said he purchased one, which
he identified.
The witness testified he took the shirt
to Parker & Bridget's store, where he
duplicated the $3.50 value shirt, in fab
r1c and design, at regular sale for 70
cents. On subsequent day the witness
L.
fabric and design. in Baltimore for 79
cents.
Testimony of the witness as to a con-
versation with a clerk in the Balti-
more store was objected to by the de-
fense. and the court ordered It
stricken out. The witness identified the
pictures which the photographer had
taken of the shop windows.
Says Clerk Misrepresented Goods.
Mr.. La vigne testified he purchased
two pairs of mems hose, for 29c a
pair. in the shop. which were advertised
and represented to him as ffty-cent
silk hose. He told further that he pur-
chased neckties which were advertised
and assured to him by the clerk as
being silk ties. valued at SO cents and
65 cents, for 29 cents each. A union
suit he testified he purchased for 80
cents, which was advertised by means
of placard as being valued at $3.50,
and also testified the clerk had as
sured him the suit was of such value.
A shirt which he said was advertised as
being valued at s1.50 was purchased by
him. he testified. for SO cents.
introduced in evidenct bill Of sale which
the witness testified was given him by
the cleerk-. Objection was made toits IN
PRODUCTION, but the court overruled the
objection. The defense noted an exception
to the ruling. The witness was being
cross-examined by the defense when ad-
journment was taken for. lunch. Attor-
neys Frank 8. Smith and Harold K Acker
appear for the defense