New Britain herald., 1930-07-12

Chicago, July 12 (UP)-The at- titude of Chicago newspaper pub fishers toward charges of racketeer- ing among their reporters may be summarized in three typical state mehts:
 l. That the newspapers have nothing to conceal.
 ?. That every rumor of an alli- ance between reporters and gang sters is being investigated.
 3. That the country will do well to withhold judgment on the Chicago press until the facts are known.
 These statements represent the essence of conversations which the United Press has had with leaders in the Chicago newspaper fraternity in the days of journalistic excite ment since the murder of Alfred J. Lingle. Chicago Tribune police re- porter.
 Those interviewed were s. E. Thomson. publisher of the Daily Times; Col R. R. Mccormick. pub fisher of the Tribune; Walter S. Strong, publisher of the Daily News; Homer Guck, publisher of the Herald Examiner; Herman Black, publisher of the Evening American, and Charles A. Segner, managing editor. who spoke for John Shaffcr, publisher of the Evening Post.
 Each publisher is in charge of property worth a least a million dollars. Most of the papers repre- sent investments of many times that figue. Under the pressure of execu- tive duties it would be unusual if the publishers were familiar with the private affairs of their police reporters or minor editors.
 Unaware of Facts
 Colonel Mccormick did not know ot Lingle's dishonesty until the scan- dal of Lingle's gang connexions came to light after his murder. The Lingle scandal itself was in the rumor stage several days before the evidence of his betrayal was strong enough to warrant exposure in the Tribune.
 Meanwhile the intensely compei- tive newspaper atmosphere in Chica- go was filled with rumors that other reporters besides Lin.le were using their positions for illicit gains. Puo- fishers began private investigations, hired detectives to check up on cer- tain staff men whose names were mentioned in the rumors, and queS- tioned their editors about men work. ing "on the outside" In some offices personal finances of reporters were looked into by executive order.
 But, as Homer Guck, of the Her Examiner phrased it, "A father often is last to learn of his own sons misdeeds" None of the publishers even now will guarantee that lis own staff is 100 per cent pure, but all are emphatic in saying that any man, found to be racketeering will be discharged and prosecuted.
 Walter Strong of the Daily News sees the situation which has devel- oped in the wake of the Lingle kill ing as endangering public confi- dence in the press.
 Under present conditions of crime" Strong said, "the newspapers are about all the people have left. Public confidence in the press must be preserved"
 Must Know Gangsters
 Herman Black of the American pointed out the futility Of expecting reporters assigned to cover gangland to avoid all contact with gangsters. A reporters first job when assign si to a crime expose to obtain the con- fidence of at least one gangsters who will talk. Each reporter develors his own technique in such dealings. Often it is necessary to hire tipstars and stool pigeons. Leland Reese, Daily News reporter. once had such g. connection with Julius RosenheiEl, who was dropped by that paper after he was said to have attempted extortion among gangsters by threat ening to expose them in the News These connections are looked upon by the papers as just part of the business
 All have expressed an eagerness to have an official showdown on the racketeering charges ito clear the names of those who are not guilty Colonel Mccormick offered to make a personal appearance before the grand jury and submit the informa- ton he has gathered since the Linsle murder. Thursday the Evening Post and the Evening American demand ed editorially that Harry T. Brun- didge, author of the most sweeping charges against local newspapermen, be brought before the grand jury on his own terms.
 Brundidge is a widelyknown re- porter for the St. Louis Star. He spent several days here investigating the Lingle murder for his paper and wrote a series of dispatches about 'itchy palmed newspapermen' in Chicago.
 Lists Charges
 In his articles, which were re- enacted by the Chicago Tribune, Brundidge suggested the grand jury investigator
 "A reporter who is known as the unofficial mayor of Chicago
 Why another reporter is paid , cents a bag for every sack of cement sold in Chicago.
 "The reason why one editor main- tains an office in the Loop separate from his newspaper office.
 The bond signing racket, as police reporter is said to control it."
 Brundidse offered to take his evil dence before Chicago grand jury. Frank w Taylor. Jr., managing eji- tor of the St. Louis Star, refused to