The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-09-16
AN UNUSUAL LIBEL ACTION.

Tho libel acion brought by tho Thompson
Lundn political machine against the Tribune
ana News, two OF Chicagos largest papers In
something new in libel litigation. Experienced
Journalists had believed the zono OF libel ae-
tions had been thoroughly explored, because
the journalistic life is Just contest after an
other with those seeking TO muct u Journal
possessing the courage to render distinct
public service. by and largo 90 libel actions
out OF every 100 are dishonest. lusincero and
lacking the elements Of justice 40 far as Intent
goes.
The Chicago politicians are suing tho Tribune
and News for the defamation Of character OF
the city, and asking OF each $4,000. coo In
damages, long list of specifications Ia set
out which, IL It Is possible for a political corr
poration to be lbeled constitutes a very sub
stantial cause OF action.
One wonders II It ia possible TO libel or dam
age, under the laws governing libelous publica-
tions. n political corporation subdivision. II
ls alleged that the articles complained Of lam
aged the credit of the city of Chicago. that tho
city Is. therefore, entitled to pecuniary dam
ages Yet It sis asccrtainablc that the damage
to the city OF Chicago, II damage has actually
resulted. grew ou, Of the acts of it's officers and
political agents and not the publicity given
those acts,
Can corporation be iihelously damaged by
anything said or done In the interests OF its
major stockholders? Indubltably both the News
and Tribune were acting for what they
sldered to he the best interests OF the Chicago
citizenship and under such defcnsbo compui-
sion hurled their anathemas at the political
machine which was, according 10 their stand
ards. maladmnstering the public trust. For
the Thompson Lundln political machine to al
lege that the thrust at It was an attack on the
city proper constitutes unusual egotlsm and
proseuts an entirely new point for the courts to
decide.
II the courts sustain that viewpoint then
the press OF the country will inevitably find
3 Itself in a most tickllsh position with much Of
its latitude gone 1t will have lost much of its
ability to serve the people In their eternal con-
flict with crookedncss In politics. For It will
then be perious for any Journal to criticize a
Iuiblc official Because the public official, no
{ glatter how venol and vulnerable he may be
may bring action in the name OF the state or
tho city, and over tho shoulder OF the office
itself wreak personal vengeance on the offend
ing publication, thus by durosa silenclng the
greatest champion CT deccncy tho public
possesses.
II the Chicago political machine can make It's
case against the Chicago press stand up II
court the last obstacle In ts path will have beer
removed And similar political cabals anC
characters all over the republic will seize OF
the precedent thus established to drive ir,,
silence. public crticsm OF all kinds and iron
all sources
For those reasons the Chicago libel case will
be ksenly watched by publishers everywhere a
well as by the general public The very foun
datons OF free and unfettered press are at
\ tackled In the action II 1t succeeds. which W,
do not think possible, the greatest palladium o
human liberty will have gone down.