In the learned legal opinion of a noted attorney, who is also a member of both the I.B.M. and S.A.M. and should therefore understand the magical significance as well as the legal angle, the unprincipled attack appearing in a 25 cents publication folder constitutes what attorneys call a “perfect case” of libel by innuendo.

We gave the young man an opportunity to make amends, and it appeared in his next issue that he was about to do so. The second following issue of the “STINX” continued the attacks. We have no choice but to immediately proceed with our suit for libel.

At the same time, we will file an application with the U.S. Post Office at Washington to have the privileges of the mails refused to the publisher for improper use.

In view of the fact that both the legal suit and the action of the post office would affect dealers who might attempt to send the banned copies through the mail (which would make the dealers equally liable in the matter), may we suggest that you consult your own attorney regarding the extent to which you would make yourself liable by either:

1. Sending, selling, or distributing libelous or defamatory matter.
2. Sending through the U.S. Mails matter which is defamatory in character.

We trust that you realize that this is merely an attempt to preserve cooperation and prevent any rupture of that friendly spirit of teamwork which, between the leading dealers in magic and ourselves, has been maintained for the last 25 years.

Very truly yours,

Burling Hull

P.S. We believe that YOU, like other established and respected magic dealers, believe as we do that Friendly and Dignified relations between the members of this trade is best for business at all times. That those who, without any previous definite cause for disagreement having occurred to justify a breach of relations—still deliberately seek to foment fights, controversies, and personal mud-slinging, are to be regarded as detriments to our business.

Fights distract the attention of customers from building up their acts, adding to their equipment, and thus interfere with ORDERS. They also disgust customers with magic instead of building up the art in their minds and inspiring patrons to advance their devotion to magic. This interferes with business in which we all have a considerable investment and disrupts the orderly conduct of magical recovery.