Evening star., 1951-10-16
Mccormick Defends Labelling
Pearson as Smear CoIun1nist'
Says Public Opinion
Beers Out Writers
In PretrioI Deposition
By w. H. Shippen

IN rrerrIoI deposition
| By W. H. shippen !
Col. Robert r. Mccormick was
linterrogated today about the
smear columnist" references to
Drew Pearson often published in
the newspapers which he controls.
The Chicago editor and pub
fisher replied that public opinion
seemed to bear out this descrip-
ton of Mr.. Pearson, but that such
terms were the choice Of various
writers and not any news policy
dictated by him.
Col. Mccormick was answering
questions at the pre-trial deposit
ton taking in MIR. Pearson's $5.1
million suit against Senator Nc
Carthy. Republican, of Wisconsin,
the Washington Times Herald and
others.
Matter Of Fact.
Attorney william A. Roberts,
representing Mr.. Pearson, asked
Col. Mccormick If he agreed with
writer's in his organizations who
had referred to Mr.. Pearson as
a smear columnist and radio
commentator" The publisher re-
piled this designation appeared to
be a matter Of fact" He added,
1T believe that represents the gen.
eral opinion Of the public"
Don't you mean that that is
the opinion Of Mr.. Pearson which
the Chicago Tribune, the Wash
lington Times Herald and others
have tried to Greater" Mr.. Roberts
asked.
The colonel replied he felt
rather it was the general Onion
of the public and one borne out
by the columns of the press
Throughout the country.
Mr.. Roberts said he was pur-
suing this line of questioning in
an effort to show that the Times
Herald and other news outlets
controlled by the Mccormick in
terests had made this reference
to Mr.. Pearson as a matter Of
news policy" through repetition
and prominent play.
Makeup Details Unfamiliar.
Col. Mccormick said, however.
that any repetitions which may
have occurred were the result Of
continuing incidents involving
Mr.. Pearson's name. He denied
that the Times-Herald had any
news policy" but an editorial
Ipolicy following the line Of the
Chicago Tribune.
Questioned about the prominent
play given to articles derogatory
Ito Mr.. Pearson, Col. Mccormick
said he was not too familiar with
the details of makeup.
Would you be surprised then"
Mr.. Roberts asked. ''if you picked
Iup a copy Of the Times-Herald
and found it suddenly had adopted
the makeup of The Washington
Evening Starr"
Il rarely ever see The Evening
Star" Col. Mccormick replied.
He added further that the make
|up of the mes-Herald was not
often brought to his attention.
President Since 1949.
Asked his relationship to the
Times Herald. Col. Mccormick re-
piled that the Tribune Co. owns
all the stock and he has been
president of the newspaper here
since the Tribune Co. bought it
in August Of 1949.
The witness added that the
Tribune Co. also owns all the stock
Of the New York Daily News. He
added the company owns q small
interest in Press Wireless. along
with other metropolitan news
papers, and has two memberships
in the Associated Press.
Under questioning Col. McCor-
mick said the Tribune Co. con-
trolls WGN, Inc. a radio and tele-
vision station at Chicago and that
this station owns some 10 per cent
of the stock of the Mutual Broad
casting Co.
Conpiracy Charged.
Fulton Lewis, jr., a top news
caster on Mutual, is one Of the
parties named by Mr.. Pearson in
his suit charging among other
things that Senator Mccarthy
physically assaulted him and that
the others conspired to run him
out of business by publicizing the
incident.
The hearing is being held in the
law Offices of Louis G. Caldwell,
who represents the Times-Herald.
Col. Mccormick was asked If he
had expressed himself forcibly on
the subject Of hiring syndicated
columnists. Mr.. Caldwell objected
on grounds the question was ir-
relevant.
The attorney continued: "The
Times-Herald. and not the Chi
cago Tribune. has been charged
by Mr.. Pearson with conspiring to
have him pinched by Senator Nc
to come Immediately, too. Mr..
Reynolds said because too many