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Show Commissioner Stenacker Takes Action Sues Editor of Democratic Party Newspaper for Criminal Libel . ' Commissioner W. H. Stenacker has entered suit against Frederick L. Bagby, Editor of the Utah Statesman, the official organ of the Democratic party of Salt Lake County, charging him with criminal libel. The complaint was signed by William H. Stenacker, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, issued by County Attorney Wallace B. Kelly and signed by Judge H. Tanner, who fixed the bond at $1,000.00. . The warranj for arrest was served on Mr. Bagby Saturday evening at 6 o'clock by deputy sheriffs and he was taken to the county jail, where he was released on his own recognizance. He was ordered to appear before Judge Tanner Monday morning at 10 o'clock to fflrnish bail. ' ' A purported news article appealing in the August 20 issue is charged as libelous, the parts cited including both headlines, and part of the story. The libels are alleged to have been malicious and scandalous as respecting respect-ing Commissioners W. H. Stenacker, R. T. Dahlquist and Rulon H. Labrum, "intending to impeach the honesty, integrity, virtue and reputation of said commissioners . . . thus and thereby exposing them to the public hatred, ' contempt and ridicule." The statements are alleged to be false and defama-- defama-- ; tory. ' " vs PURPORTED BRIBERY ' y'-t The subject matter is purported attempted bribery to persuade the Statesman not to publish a "booze" story. The libel complaint alleges' that the attempts chged were never made, but that the story of the attempts at-tempts Is malicious and untrue. Publication was made in Salt Lake, it is :,; alleged. '" . :'" . ' The alleged offense la punishable, if proved, by not to exceed $1000 One and one year in jail. It is an indictable misdemeanor, according to Mr. Kelly. Following are the alleged libelous words: .."Commissioners try to buy paper's silence with bribe (meaning the Utah Statesman, of which Frederick L. Bagby is editor). Money is offered in vain attempt to quash booze story. County heads sent agent to editor with proffer of $1000 cash to forget story on liquor 'party.'" The story begins: "Proferring a bribe of $1000, an agent of Counfy Commissioners W. H. Stenacker, R. T. Dahlquist and Rulon H. Labrum sought in vain last Friday afternoon to buy the silence of the Utah Statesman States-man on the commissioners' boze party at the Caratensen home." ' CONCERNS COMMISSIONERS The complaint states that Mr. Stenacker, Mr. Dahlquist and Mr. Labrum are the commissioners of Salt Lake county, and were the persona concerning whom the alleged libelous matters were printed. ' |
