New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-24
Mayor Backed
ByMillion Fund,
Says Murphy
Tammany Leader Charges
Morgenthau Raised 1t to
Reflect Mitchell
Evening World" Sued
in 100000 Action
Chief" Alleges He Was
Libelled in Editorial About
Devery Controversy


terday, and in several other important
ways actively figured in the municipal
campaign, to the surprise Of the lead
srs in all the political camps. The fact
that "the chief" was talking again
was one Of the most hopeful develop
msnts Of the last forty-eight hours In
tho Fusion campaign. In the opinion OF
Emory R. Buekner. Mayor Mitehel's
campaign manager. Incidentally. Mr.
Murphy declared that he had sub
;eribed $4,000 to the {se0nd Liberty
Loan.
The Tammany chief began his days
activities by filing an action for libeI
for 100000 damages against "The
Evening World" based on an editorial
published in that paper Monday relat-
ing to alleged charges which "Big Bill
Devery, once characterized as "the
best Chief of Police New York evel
had" was reported to have made
against the Tammany leader when
Devery broke with Tammany Hall.
In an interview at Delmonico's last
night Mr.. Murphy charged that Henry
Morgenthau and other active support
ers of Mayor Mitchell had raised a
fund of 81 900 900 for the reelection Of
tho Mayor. Mr.. Murphy's attention
was called to the analysis Of the pro-
spective Mayoralty vote in the coming
election made by Mr.. Morgenthau, who
declared that Mayor Mitchell could not
be defeated. Referring to the Socialist
situation, Mr.. Morgenthau happened to
remark that there were about 100000
Jews in the city.
100000 Being Spent
"Mr. Morgenthau has the figure
100000 on his mind" said Murphy
because he and few Of his associates
got together last week to raise $1,000,
600 to rcelect Mitchell. They subscribed
$500 900 at that time and have got thu
500 900 since. They are spending 1t
too. II any one wants to know how
they are spending 1t they ought to see
Charlie Steckler at his Office, or per
haps Martin ". Littleton."
Mr.. Littleton Is chairman Of the City
Democracy, which was organized &c
gather In the independent Democratic
vote for Mayor Mitchell. Mr.. Stecklei
ia an active member Of that orgsniza
ton. with a law Office at 232 Broad
way. They are both members OF the
Fusion Committee Of 1917:
Mr. Murphy "unmuzzled" his candi'
data Judge Hylan, in another inter
,isw ar Tammany Hall In fact, the
Tammany leader declared that Judge
Uylan had never received any orders
from him or any one else in Iammany
Hall which would prevent the candidate
from answering questions or meetiht
Mayor Mitchell or any other candidate
in public debate.
The Tammanv chief received the po'
litical reporters at his ONCE IN tne
Fourteenth Street wigwam. lie was II
good humor and answered questions oil
avoided them, smllihBiy'
Hylan Free, He Says
"Mavor Mitchell has insisted that the
reason Judge Hylan does not answer
his questions ard declines to discuss
the issues OF the campaign with him
is because he has orders from the or
ganization not to-" was one suggestion
made to Mr.. Murphy.
"Why, that's ridiculous" was his re
ply. Judge Hylan is perfectly free tc
meet Mayor Mitchell in debate and dis
cuss campaign issues, as far as Tam
many is concerned. OF course no is;
he's candidate, and that is a mattel
between candidates"
The summons in the Murphy libe
suit was served upon j. Angus Shaw
treasurer of the Press Publishing Com
pany, which publishes "The Evening
World" and an affidavit was filed II
the County Clerks office, setting forth
the fact Of such service. Ex-JudgC
William NJ. K. Olcott, of the firm Of
Olcott, Bonynge, McManus g. Ernst
counsel for Mr.. Murphy, declared thai
they would press the case to trial.
Other Papers Warned
ave have commenced suit for Charlie:
+. Murphy against the Press Publish
inc Company" he said, "for a series Of
libels uttered by it in last nights lead
ING editorial of The Evening World.
We are told by our client that there
is no truth in these derogatory stase
ments, and such investigation Of th'
facts as we have thus far been able &c
N, u ,
assertions and convinces us that tn,
allegations are wholly untrue and libel
Gus. We shall therefore press this case
to trial and We warn other paper!
against any repetition of these or sim
liar libels."
II the Murphy suit actually comes
into court the Tammany leader could bt
compelled to take the witness stand By
the counsel for the defendant news
paper. When called in this manner the
witness cannot be subjected to an ex
animation that tends to impeach hi,
own testimony, but the mere recital o.
the life history Of witness is some
times effective from the point Of view
Of counsel calling such witness to tn,
stand In the Barnes Roosevelt sui
the former Republican state chairman
was required to testify about politica
and business activities closely related
to each other.
Commenting on part of the Murphy
interview and the libel suit, Mr.. Buck
ner. chairman of the Mitchell campaign
committee, said:
81 see by the papers that Mr. Murphy
has sued The World for libel. Tn,
late Timothy Sullivan once advised in ,
similar situation: Never sue for libel