New-York tribune., 1921-04-15
Court Grants
Time Extension
To Press Club
Must Show Cause April 26
Why Its Affairs Should
Not Be Investigated;
Referee Is Suggested
Judge Seeks Compromise
Organizations Counsel Says
Abuses Complained Of AL
ready Have Been Abated

Justice Edward j. Gavegan yesterday
extended from April 10 to April 26 the
return date Of the order he signed
which calls upon the New York Press
Club to show cause why its affairs
should not be thoroughly investigated
by the Supreme Court. The order is
returnable before Justice John v
McAvoy.
This action was taken after argument
made by Charles NJ. Beattie, counsel for
the club, that Justice Gavegan vacate
his own order. At the outset of the
hearing Mr.. Beattie asked for an ad-
journment on the ground he had not
had sufficient time to prepare an an
swer to the moving papers. Justice
Gavegan gave him until Thursday next
to prepare his answer.
Says Abuses Have Been Abated
During the arguments, the affairs of
the club were aired in considerable
detail by counsel for both sides. In
his argument Mr. Beattie declared that
the abuses complained os in the pc
tition had been abated and that the
practice of soliciting associate mem
berships in the club for 1000 and
solicitations for representation in the
History of the World War had been
of the club. Mr.. Beattie contended that
the other matters complained of in
the petition were insufficently pre-
sented and declared that the Board of
Trustees had supplied full information
to the members.
The petitioners in the action are :
Patrick McEvoy, Charles Salomon, G.
Selmer Fougner, August C. Reimer and
Abraham Baerman. In reply, H. Francis
Dyruff, of 34 Pine Street, counsel for
petitioners, declared that the allega-
tions contained in the moving papers
were supported by affidavitS and docu-
mentary evidence.
During the argument Mr.. Dyruff
asked whether Mr.. Beattie appeared as
counsel for John A. Hennessy, one of
the trustees of the club. as we'll as the
other trustees. Mr. Dyruff told the
court that Hennessy is remaining out
side the jurisdiction of the court and
cannot be served. Mr.. Beatte did not
answer this point.
'Dyruff contended that three of his
clients, John r. Binns, William L.
Curtin and Alex A. McCurdy, who are
been arbitrarily refused access to the.
clubs hooks and financial affairs for
which they are responsible under the
law. He opposed the request for an
extension on the ground these three
trustees were individually liable fer
any debts that might be incurred dur
ing the week of the postponement and
finally he declared that the place to
show cause why the Supreme Court
should not make an investigation was
before Justice McAvoy on the date the
order is returnable.
Justice Suggests Referee
During the course of his argument.
MI. Dyruff said that the affairs of the
club were in such bad state that his
clients were convinced only drastic
action could straighten them out He
said that after the completion Of the
present action there probably would
be brought other actions for an ac-
counting and for removal of officers
on the ground of alleged irregularities
az the last election in the club.
At the conclusion of the hearing.
when Justice Gavegan had granted the
adjournments asked for, there was a
short informal discussion among the
newspaper men regarding the affairs
OF the club, and Justice Gavegan in
formally offered his services toward
compromise between the parties at
issue. He also suggested that both
sides agree upon the appointment of
an impartial referee to inquire into
the affairs of the club