Protecting Sources

Should a newsman refuse to identify confidential sources of his information about a crime? Long tradition says he should. But legally--except in twelve states that have laws reinforcing the tradition--he has no more right than any other citizen to withhold information. In Fort Worth last week, William Prescott Allen, 60, publisher of the Laredo, Texas Times (circ. 15,283), faced the choice of revealing sources or going to jail.

In a campaign blasting Texas as "the most corrupt state in the nation," Publisher Allen charged that corruption flourished in Fort Worth under a syndicate headed by a Dallas state law enforcement officer (whom he did not name). The editorial said that an estimated 1,500 pinball machines in Fort Worth were operating without paying the $250 annual state tax, but did kick back $10 a week to the syndicate. It also charged that an unidentified politician had said "he only takes his cut because he wants to be in the race for lieutenant governor."

Last week a Fort Worth grand jury summoned Allen to tell where he got his information. Allen refused to tell. He was taken into court. Judge Dave McGee held him in contempt, fined him $100 and sentenced him to jail until he was ready to talk. As he turned in his neat business suit for striped dungarees, Allen said defiantly: "To expose some of this crookedness, it's worth the price. I will stay here for life if necessary."

By next morning Publisher Allen had decided that he had not a legal leg to stand on. He went before the grand jury again. This time, questioned again about his sources, he said: "All I have is an anonymous letter." Judge and grand jury decided that was good enough to warrant the publisher's release and suspension of fine, even though other newsmen suspected that Allen's sources were far more substantial. Said Allen: "I just agreed with 'em to lollipop 'em along."

On the day of Allen's release. Fort Worth gave overdue recognition to the pinball machine problem that he--and others--had tilted at. The city council voted to outlaw the machines. Said Allen jubilantly: "The town is closed tight."

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