The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-12-01
National Storm BreWing
OUer Crdig's Sentence
Contempt Of Court Case Casts Heavy Shadow
On the Outcome Of 1924 Presidential Race
by ALEXANDER HERMAN

NEW YORK, Dec. 1.--Out or a
quarrel or two strong willed men has
broken storm that In casting
heavy shadow over next years pres
idontlal outcome. Yot tho men In
volvod are neither mentioned nn pos
sibliltica. nor ns directors OF tho
boom OF any candidates.
They who started tho controversy
arc: Charles l.. Craig. city comp
troller or New York. and Federal
Judge Julius NJ. Mayer.
They who ara worried about It's
result are the politicians who arc try
Ing 10 direct the destinics OF the ma
jor political parties.
But tho persons most concerned
arc you and tho other millions OF
citizens OF tho nation. for legal nu-
thorities believe tho issue Of freedom
OF speech and criticism n involved.
Craig. aa tho financial guardian or
100000 New Workers.. criticised the
federal Judge during a heated con-
troyersy about receivershlp OF the
Brooklyn Rapid Transit company.
In letter 10 Public Service Com
missioner Lewis Nixon he wrote!
1T seems 20 me a monstrous thing
that an order OF n federal judge In a
court OF equity should stand between
tho public and thu truth under such
circumstance
Federal Judge Mayer construed
this as n reflection on the court. He
had Craig haied before him. After n
long hearing ho adjudged him guilty
OF contempt.
Then began n battle In tho courts
that lasted for four years.
Craig appealed. He secured writ
OF habcas corpus from Judge Martin
4. Manton. But tho United States
attorney appealed 90 tho circuit
court which sustained Judge Mayer.
holding that n lower court had no
right 10 grant writs OF habeas corpus
In such cases.
Finally, the caro- eanc up before
the supreme court. and there. In the
court OF final resort, Craig lost out
Then tho storm broke. Former
enemies OF Craig came out 20 defend
him: newspapers TINT had rarely
ever sided with him took up hts
cause; jurlsta and lawyers OF note
rallied 10 his support.
Some OF them advocate tho pas
sage OF nm act by congress 70 pro
vent craig'B commitment. Some want
Judge Mayer 10 rcicnt. Others look
for a way out by presidential pardon.
But Craig himself isn't very hope
fui. lie IL ready 20 enter tho Essex
county tS. j jail. where federal
prisoners from these parts ara held
for abort terms.
His wife ia arranging 20 rent mn
apartment near tho Jail. 20 that ahe
win DO able 10 DO with him every
day.
Meanwhile. political leaders arc
worried. IL Coolidge pardons Craig
II may be interpreted by some as a
slap al the federal courts. II Cool
idge doesn't pardon him. some fear
that New York will be lost 10 the re
puhllcana during tho next campaign.
Representative +. IL. In Gnardia.
who ls normally political foe OF
Craig. has announced that he viii In.
troducc a bin into congress on DC.
cember TO prevent craiE's going TO
Jail.
"If under the present law II be
comes impossible for "A municipal OF.
fetal In the course OF his official du-
ties TO communicate frankly and
fully on matters pertaining 10 the
city. 10 another official. IL ID time
that we have legislation protecting
public officials" he says.
Craig won't rccan;.
"a federal jndgo'a power. TO hail
before himself and TO Jail any munich.
pal officer who incurs his ill.will."
says Craig. "offcra entirely too much
opportunity for abuse OF power 10 be
tolerated by the American people.
"Tho possession Of such power is
ianiamount TO tho suppression or
proper criticism and free press.
"Tt Is calculated TO intlmidatc and
put In jeopardy OF jail public.splrited
citizens. reporters. editorial writer's
and all others whose duty Il 10 &c
fairly present and freely comment
upon matters OF public concern