Two Tacoma Papers Go to War Over a Bank Blackmail Charge

TACOMA, March 27.—The war between the Ledger and the News continues. The latter paper had made the assertion that the Ledger's article—saying that the News had blackmailed banks—was so cleverly written as to leave no grounds for an action for libel. In reply, the Ledger comes out this morning editorially and says that the charges are true, alleges that the money was paid to Stephen O'Brien, who acted on behalf of the News, and concludes by daring that paper to bring its libel suit, either civil or criminal. Then the News comes back at the Ledger tonight with a counter-attack, a sample of which follows: "The cowardly, conscienceless cur who hides his canine grin under the guise of the irresponsible, lying, libelous editor is a sneak akin to the trained jackal of the forest..." And the fight has not yet begun. Mr. O'Brien, the News man, is in California at the present time. It is not known that Nelson Bennett, owner of the paper in California, is [behind it]. The News further says it is prepared to prove the charge, and accuses the Ledger of attacking a man when he is absent from the city. It does not deny O'Brien's criminal connection with the blackmailing transaction. No one has yet employed an attorney, but it is expected that several will be retained, as it is reported that sums were secured from the banks by the threat of the paper for the withdrawal of an expose reflecting on their credit.