New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-26
Col. Watterson
Fights to Save
'Courier.J Journal
Enters Suit, Saying Bruce
Haldeman Should Not
Manage Paper


made one of the best known newspapers
in the United States by Henry Waiter
son. faces a critical time in It's career.
Disagreement among the owners OF the
paper. of whom Colonel Watterson is
one. has resulted in litigation over the
question of the editorial and business
control.
OF the 600 shares in The Courier
Journal" company. valued at s6Oo'ooo'
seventy-hve are owned By Colonel Wat
terson. The rest are owned largely by
the Haldeman family. represented IN
the management of the company by
Bruce Haldeman, president of the COM
pany. and General W. B. Haldeman,
both sons Of Walter y. Haldeman, who
with Colonel Watterson, founded the
paper.
The disagreement has resulted in an
Injunction suit brought by Bruce Halde
man against other stockholders, chiel
among them his brother, to keep them
from putting certain persons IN charge
OF the business and editorial depart
ments Of THE Courier-Journa" and its
associated paper, THE Louisville
Times"
Colonel Watterson. not mentioned IN
the injunction suit, has filed an inter-
vening petition. of which the following
paragraph is an interesting part;
Colonel Watterson's Contention
"The intervenor further declares that
he has seen many newspaper properties
wrecked by internal discussions and by
the attempt OF an ambitious business
manager 10 dominate and control the
editorial department. In consequence,
he looks with apprehension 20 time
when. with the passing away OF ms
present associates. men much older
than himself the said Bruce Haldeman
shall be left practically in sole charge
of the said properties. Therefore
oouallv i'm the interest Of the said Bruce
Haldeman. of himself and OF the other
stockholders especially IN that OF
Isabel Haldoman, the daughter Of his
well-bcloved old friend and co-mate,
Walter \. Haldeman- he seeks a
remedy which he deems adequate.
ale bears the said Bruce Haldeman
no manner Of i'll will. He is led to
these conclusions by the confident be-
lief that the said Bruce Haldeman is
in temper and temperament unsulted
and unequal 20 the successful man
agement Of either the business de-
partment or the editorial department
OF The CONFECTIONERY the control
OF which he in reality seeks, the err
cumstance that this interyenor's own
age makes it probable that he has not
long 10 remain IN the place ne mas
occupied for nearly fifty years urging
him TO offer his best judgment and
experience 10 the solution Of very
serious problem and the adjustment
of most threatening situation.
"Uis career behind him. having moth
inr further of ambition to consult. or
advantage 10 gain. he has no motive
or nurpose other than the perpetual
ton Of the name and fame, the con
tinued usefulness. influence and pros
nority Of the great journal whose edi-
forial creation, character and fort
unes have constituted his life work.
Bruce Haldcman's Reply
To tho charge that he is attempting
IN dictate the policies Of the newspe
pers. Bruce Haldeman replies that tho
trouble had its beginning IN an edi-
toral printed by THE Louisville
Times" and reprinted in "The Courier
Journal" in which the Governor Of tho
state was asked to submit the question
of prohi bition 70 the people OF Ken
lucky along with the question OF tax
reform. then prominently before the
public attention.
Bruce Haldeman objected 10 the cdi-
torial because it had been printed with
ont his knowledge. although - was
generally known he was deeply inter
ested in the matter. A later disagree
ment arose when Colonel Watterson
sent an editorial from Florida. hit
terlv attacking German Americans IN
the United States. The editorial was
held I'd By Bruce Hsldeman. because
German-Americans were even then eX
pressing their loyalty To the United
States. and the editorial was finally
KILLED" after telegraphic agreement 10
that action b. Colonel Watterson.
THE Courier-Journa" was founded
when Colonel Wattelson and Walter
y. Haldeman combined their news
paper interests, The Courier" and Tic
Journal" adding thereto THE Louis
willie Democrat" which they purchased
Mr.. Haldeman died IN 1902.
Colonel Watterson has held a great
deal OF power in the Democratic party,
despite his sometimes erratic course
He coined the phrase. Tariff for Rev
enue Only" which the party later
adopted. presided at the convention
which nominated Tilden in 1875, sup
ported Grover Cleveland in the early
part Of Clevelsnd's career in the Presl-