The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-05-19
MIAMI HANDWRITING
Continued From Page One)

Itn, Tor the purpose or examining
the handwriting on the absentee
ballots. To say I was amazed at
what I read is an understatement.
] wish to strenuously protest this
misleading write-up.
For your edification, I wish
to advise you of the following
facts:
Shortly before noon on We'd
nesday, l was approached by a
charming young lady who iden-
titled herself as one of your re-
porters and who asked me if I
would make a statement con-
corning the absentee ballots. At
that time advised your report
er that I had no statement to
make, that any statement that
was made would have to come
from Mr.. Joseph Y. Porter, of
your city, as l was there at his
request to examine the hand
writing on the absentee ballots.
AT that time the young lady
asked me to pose for a photo
graph and told her / had too
much do and, subsequently,
your photographer actually
made, I believe, two photographs
while l was busily engaged IN
the examination of the hand
writing on the absentee ballots.
81 left the Court House after
the Election Commission had
finished canvassing the absentee
ballots for Precinct 4, at about
4:30 P. NJ, since / had to return
to Miami by National Air Lines
plane which departed from Key
West at 500 P. NJ Upon my ar
rival at the airport was ad-
vised by the ticket agent that
there was a call for me. l ac-
cepted the call and someone con-
nected with your newspaper
asked me for statement. Again
replied that / had no official
statement to make, that any
statement would have to come
from Mr.. J. Y. Porter.
'T do recall that / asked your
representative at that time to
mail me a copy of the paper If a
photograph was used, as / like to
keep a scrap book OF my cases.
Two copies of your publica-
ton and a photograph were mail
ed to me on May 18th and for
same | wish to thank you. II
there is any obligation, please
send me an invoice and ! will
gladly send you my check.
with reference to the front
page article which appears in
your publication of May 9th,
which allegedly quotes me, ] IN
sist that the entire article IS a
complete Misrepresentation OF
facts. The caption which APP
pears bove my photograph
reads: County Election Certified
Clean" Such a statement from
me would have been highly pre-
sumptive, as, in the first place,
had no interest in or knowl-
edge of your county election
whatsoever, or the campaigns
conducted therein. My sole pur-
pose in coming to Key West was
TO investigate the integrity OF
the absentee ballots. / came as
a handwriting expert to ascer-
tain whether or not fraudulent
votes were among the absentee
ballots. Not being resident OF
Monroe County and not having
the facilities for aScertainlng
facts concerning the election,
have absolutely no knowledge oil
what went on during the cam
paign prior TO the election
Therefore. for you 10 use such 8
caption. claiming | certified the
county election was clean, is q
Misrepresentation of facts,
Having been a resident OF
Florida for many years and hav'
ing lived in an adjoining county
for more than twenty years.
have on many occasions heard
many unfavorable reports as 70
the cleanliness of election cam
paigns in your count. However
this is hearsay and actually, Oh
my own knowledge, | know
nothing and arm in no position 10
say whether the campaigns are
clean or crooked.
"Your caption on the feature
article is complete miSrcpre-
sentation Of facts. II reads; Ben
nett congratulates Pinder on way
Monroe County election was con
Quoted: Is satisfied
The facts are as follows:
"Durin the day spent with
the Election Commissioners and
those officially engaged IN can
VaSSing the absentee vote, was
shown every consideration by
Mr.. Sam Pinder and his son Mr..
pinder Was most cooperative,
placed the registration volumes
at my disposal and even had hts
associates bring TO my desk ad