New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-06

ward j. Gavegan and WAS based upon
petition signed by Patrick McEvoy,
G. Semer Fougner, August c. Reimer
and Abraham Baerman, members of
the club. The petition in turn was
supported by affidavits sworn to by
John Il. Binns, vice president, and
Alexander A. McCurdy, trustee of the
organization,
The latter two officers. with William
l.. Curtin, another trustee, although
technically made co-defcndants, are on
the side of the petitioners.
Mild Methods Fail
n. Francis DyruH, of 81 Pine Street,
counsel for the petitioners, in state
ment issued immediately after the pa
pers We're signed. declared:
My clients feel that this organiza-
ton is of sufficient Importance and
dignity among real conscientious news
papermen to stand Independently upon
its own merits, without the use of
methods that can in any way bring re-
preach upon its management or the
membership body. 1t is their wish that
no money shall be obtained in any
manner that can in tho slightest de-
gree create suspicion, no matter how
unfounded. This attitude they cannot
too emphatically emphasize.
My clients having been s.gnaI,y un-
succtSstui, uhuer conditions at pres
ent prevailing, in bringing about the
reforms they consider essential by
mild methods within the club itself.
have deemed it necessary for the pro-
lection OF the club and that of the
large body among the members who
have its best interests at heart to seek
relief and reform through an appeal
to the courts
1t is alleged in the petition that the
New York Press Club misappropri-
ated funds. This allegation is based
upon several grounds, among them
being the allegations that two mem
Ders were admitted to life membership
! during the last year for the sum of
$500, in violation of the club bylaws,
which provide that $500 is the fee for
active life membership.
! Inc moving papers charge that John
! j. W9hltman, q member of the club. in
accolaaSce with an alleged agreement
with the board of trustees, has been
engaged in soliciting representation IN
publication to be known as The New
York Press Club History of the World
/ V ar on q commission basis, under
which Wohltman receives 60 per cent
/ of the money and the club 40 per cent
+ The papers allege that approximately
Sllo,O00 has been collected under this
arrangement during the last two years.
Harding's Name Used
The exhibits attached to the papers
indicate that employees of " ohltman
! IN soliciting special associate member
! ships In the club, capitalized the tenta-
tive acceptance by President Harding
70 be the clubs guest of honor at its
forthcoming annual dinner in their
arguments to induce prominent citizens
and wealthy foreigners to become men,
bers OF the club,
In this connection the papers charge
that on March / last the club passed
a resolution putting an end to such
solicitation and the commissions paid
for such solicitation. A similar reso-
luton was passed by the board of trus-
tees on March 5 last.
The papers then charge that on
March II William f. Malone, an en-
ployee of John j. Wohtman, solicited
and obtained from Manuel Vargas,
fiscal agent of the Mexican government
in this city, check for $1,000 for as
sociate membership in the club Photo
graphs Of this check and letter said
to have been written to Senior Vargas
! by John j. Wohltman are attached to
the papers. The letter shows that
Senior Vargas also had been informed
President Harding was to be a guest
Of the club
The papers further allege that in
December q check for $1,000 was re-
ceived as result OF similar solicita-
ton from high official of the present
city government for life associate mem
Dership in the club. The affidavits
show that of this sum $500 was paid
to Wohltman and $400 to the club in
violation Of the bylaws, which provide
that $500 is the stipulated fee for life
membership IN the associate class.
Long Dissatisfaction
In the case Of Senior Vargas it is
charged that, after his check had been
lndorsed and presented for payment
the bank on which il was drawn held
up payment pending the clearing up Of
techncallty concerning his signature
on the check. After investigation and
on advice of newspaper friends Senol
Vargas then stopped payment.
The court action of yesterday is thu
direct result of long pent-up dissatis
faction among the active newspape
] element of the organization, which
came to q head at the last election
when three of the insurge nts-John r
Binns, William l.. Curtin and Alexan
der A. McCurdy elected to Office
in the club. The efforts of these three
together with the efforts of the large
faction representing the reform ele
ment, to put an end to the alleged
abuses by action within the club itsel
| having failed, because of prevailin,
| conditions, they decided to appeal t.
| the courts.
The other officers and directors 0
| the club named defendants are: Ed
ward Percy Howard, president; Waite
| Z. Warner, financial secretary; Chan
ming A. Leidy, treasurer; Lawrence T
! Covington, C. Fred Crosby, Oscar Wat
son, Timothy German, Thomas Ford
John A. Hennessy and George Dobsol
L i f,1nr tnnc