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Letter from National Enquirer to Temple member, November 1978
[Letterhead of National Enquirer]
November 2, 1978
Mrs. Judith Merriam
1029 Geary Blvd., Apt. 28
San Francisco,
California 94109
Dear Mrs. Merriam:
Thank you for your recent letter and your interest in The Enquirer.
I enjoyed reading your suggestion, but because of the vast number of suggestions we receive, it is impossible to develop them all. While I regret we cannot use your particular idea, I do appreciate your taking the time to send it to us.
Should you have another suggestion which you believe would be appropriate for The Enquirer, please don’t hesitate to share it with us.
Again, thank you for writing and I hope you continue to read and enjoy The Enquirer.
Sincerely,
/s/ Ann Bell
Ann Bell
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I-1-c-3a
Letter to National Enquirer from attorney John Frolich, November 2, 1978
[Letterhead of John Frolich]
November 2, 1978
National Enquirer
600 S.E. Coast
Lantana, Florida
Gentlemen:
I have been advised.by Peoples Temple that your newspaper contemplates writing an article about the Temple which will be published in the near future.
It goes without saying that the Temple has every reason to believe any article you may write about them will present a negative one-sided perspective.
I should explain that I am not their attorney and have never actually represented Peoples Temple in any litigation. However, they have referred many of their poorer members of the church to my office for legal help when those people had legal problems and could not afford to pay regular fees.
All of my clients from the church, without exception, speak in glowing terms about the church and about the Pastor, Jim Jones. Further, I have no doubt that none of the members of the church ever lied to me about facts in connection with their cases, whether civil or criminal. When one has been practicing law for over 30 years as I have, this in itself is a positive recommendation for the type of church that Peoples Temple and their Pastor is.
By the way, I agreed to help represent some of the members of Peoples Temple in Los Angeles at the request of Timothy Stoen.
Several months ago, because of the adverse publicity regarding Peoples Temple, I started an investigation of my own with reference to the matters referred to in various published articles and my investigator advises me that he may be on the track of a super sensational story.
Without going into any details before I can check, verify and authenticate what my investigator has advised me that he has discovered when, as, and if I am in a position to authenticate his findings,
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I-1-c-3b
I will submit them to your publication with documentary proof of the facts set out.
I know that spectacular news sells publications and I may be in a position to offer you some truthful, spectacular news.
In conclusion, I wish to make it clear that if an article is published in the National Enquirer or any other publication that I feel is libelous or untrue regarding Peoples Temple, I shall represent them and file suit against you.
You are no doubt aware that the only defense would be the truth and under the recent case of Doctor “X” in New Jersey, the court has held that the writer of such an article and the publisher must produce their files when properly subpoenaed or face charges of contempt of court.
Very truly yours,
/s/ John W. Frolich
John W. Frolich