New-York tribune., 1918-09-17
Brooklyn Park Commits
sioner Answers Injunction
Plea by Williamson
"The Mail" Is Brought
Into Controversy
Official Admits Vender's
Customers Objected to
Certain Publications

Park Commissioner John n. Harman
yesterday filed his answer in the suit
of John Williamson to enjoin him per-
manently from interfering with his
business as a newsdealer at Borough
Hall, Brooklyn. In this answer he
seeks 70 justify his action on the
ground that Williamson refused to
handle Hearst papers.
He also says that Williamson re-
fuses to handle "The Evening Mail"
This is the newspaper that was re-
Gently shown to have been purchased
by Dr.. Ilmely, now under indictment.
with funds sup, tied by representatives
Of the imperial German government.
1t is TOW operated by the bondholders.
This refusal. Mr. Harmnn says,
makes it impossible for Williamson "to
carry out the purposes for which the
permit was granted and destroyed the
beneficial use of the newsstand by the
public
Admits Public Opposes Hearst
He admits that Williamson's refusal
20 handle these papers was based on
the opposition OF patriotic people to
their exhibition in public places, which
made it impossible for him to expose
them ard retain any comfort or peace
Of mind
The introduction of "The Mail" into
the case is new feature and apparent
II is an afterthought on the part of
Hearsts friends in the city aqminlstra-
ton. When Deputy Park Commissioner
William II. Muldoon first cancelled
Williamson's license the only reason
assigned was his refusal to handle
Hearst papers when ordered to do so
by the Mayor. This also was the rea-
son assigned by Mr.. Hartman on Sep
tember s, when after restoring Will
iamsonA license he revoked it after the
original suit for an injunction had
been withdrawn and it was too late to
appeal to the courts for relief on that
day.
With Mr.. Harman's answer is filed
an affidavit by William Il. Wilson, who
describes himself as an Assistant Cor
poration Counsel He makes oath that
on September he went to the Will
hanson stands in search of Hearst pa
pers and did buy one at the stand run
bv Wlliamson's father. He further
iamson told Park Commissioner Har-
man his reasons for refusing to patron
ize the Hearst papers.
Used Lawyer as Detective
Men familiar with the workings Of
the Corporation Counsels office said
yesterday that the employment of an
Assistant Corporation Counsel to Sc
cure evidence of violation OF a news
boys license is without precedent.
Ordinarily they said, such evidence
would be sought by process server or
low salaried inspector.
According to the Wilson affidavit,
Williamson's license was returned to
him after Lemuel Ely Qugg and
sci, had said he would sell Hearst
papers This is denied by Quigg and
keogh, and it is also denied by Will
hanson.
Willamson's motion for permanent
injunction is on the docket for a hear
ing tomorrow. Whether or not the
city will be ready to go on or will ask
learned yesterday. Both Williamson
and his counsel would like to have the
matter disposed of at once, although
under the protection of the temporary
injunction Williamson continues to dc
land office business.
Womans Business Thrives
Mrs Margaret Armstrong, whose
stand, at Fulton Street and Flatbush
Avenue, Brooklyn. proc!aims the fact
that she Will not do business with any
but 100 per cent Americans, has, she
says, doubled her business since she
declared her independence Of Hearst
Il am getting all the papers
want SAID She "The drivers of the
woman. | do not know whether that
is the real reason or not, but it does
not make any difference with me-IC
close up before I'd sell any paper that
good Americans object to as un-Ameri-
can.
Appeal to Advertisers
The Joint committee of newsdealers
ana newsboys last night voted to send &
circular letter to all advertisers in the
Ne" York papers explaining their posi-.
ton and asking that they assist then
IN escaping from the tyranny of the
Hearst crowd. In this letter they will
explain that they wish to circulate
the papers to which patriotic Ameri-
cans do not object, and that the pub
lHhers, in insisting that their papers
oe not sold unless those of Hearst are
also sold, seriously block their efforts.
Ihey also voted to write Alfred +
Smith, President OF the Board Of
Aldermen, for definite statement of
his position as q member of the city
government on the attitude of Mayor
Hyian and lesser city officials workino
III the interest of Hearst
An appeal to the general public will
he made. the committee decided
through the circulation of pamphlets
This 1t is expected Will begin not late,