New-York tribune., 1918-12-11
City Advertises
Anti-Hearst Mans
Stand for Sale
Brooklyn Park Commissions
er Prints Notice That News
Business of Williamson
Will Go 10 High Bidder

Hcarsts friends in the Hyan ad-
at John Williamson, the Borough Hall
Park newsdcaler who refuses to handle
Hearst papers because Of the protests
of his customers that they are I'M
Americana This time the drive con-
ssts of an advertisement of Park
Commissioner John N. Harman in "Thc
City Record" to the effect that the
stands long held by Williamson and
hiSsoldcr brother, now in France, will
be sold at auction on December 20
to the highest bidder.
If this course is allowed the chances
arc that Hearst will get the stands,
for, Williamson says, an ordinary
ncwsdealer cannot hope to bid sue
cessfully against millionaire pub
Usher
This system of disposing of news
stand privileges was suggested as one
means of raising revenue during the
Mitchell administration. 1t was bit
terly opposed by William Randolph
Hearst on the ground that this would
throw hundreds of persons unable to-
earn a living in other ways out Of
employment.
Then Favored Poor Newsmcn
Hearst then insisted that under the
auction system any large dealer or
corporation could establish a monopoly
in that it could afford to pay more
for poor stands than any small deal
er could and make up any possible loss
on the better locations. The scheme
was opposed by the dealers and so
cicties interested in them and finally
dropped.
Whether or not Harman will be per-
mittcd by the courts to hold the auc
tion is a question that Williamson has
referred to his counsel, Lemucl Ely
Qugg. Harman lis now under an in
junction of the Supreme Court for
bidding him, as an individual and as
Park Commissioner, from interfering
with Williamsons business lie is
proceeding on the theory that though
the injunction is still in force it "will
not go" after January !, when Will
iamson's privilege to do business NOM
inally expires.
The Harman advertisement, as print
cd in "The City Record" is most un-
usual in that it calls for an eXorbitant
deposit with all bids for the places.
Ordinarily the amount of the earnest
of good faith required with bids is
but a fraction of the amount involved.
In this case the amount of cash or
certified check that must be. deposited
is 5000, or nearly ten times the rental
the stands have brought each year
heretofore.
Will Choose the Papers
This requirement in itself would bar
many dealers from bidding, for news
dealers who can afford to tie up $500
in cash for an indefinite period are not
plentiful. No such obstacle is in the
way of Hearst or one of his agents bid
ding for him, however.
The advertisement is also unusual in
that it follows the lines of Mayor Hy-
lan's demand at the time the news
boys strike on Hearst was declared
that all holders of city licenses be COM
PEELED to sell call the leading papers,"
Mayor Hylan and his subordinates were
iOiNNN w HDdlNOu tulS dtllOuut, UuI
the advertisement Offering the Will
hanson stands for sale announces that
the Commissioner reserves the right
to designate and determine the leading
newspapers which must be offered for
sale at the stands"
The fight to compel Williamson to
handle Hearst papers dates back to
last August, when, after many protests
by his customers against the exposing
of Hearst publications, he ceased carry
ing them. For this William II. Mul-
doom, a deputy Park Commissioner of
brooklyn, ordered the stand closed.
Williamson then moved for an injunc-
ton and Harman almost Immediately
revoked Muldoon's action. Within
twenty four hours, however, he again
revoked the permit. The Supreme Court
was again appealed to, Justice Faber
granting restraining order on the ap-
plication of Mr.. Quigg. This order jus
tlce Cropsey has continued in force