Abernathy v. Pittsburgh Press Co.

Thompson, J.,

For the first time since the pretrial branch of this court was established the power and authority of such pretrial court has been called in question, and must now be determined by us.

The above-entitled action is a libel case, which arose out of the publication in the Pittsburgh Press on October 16,1941, of a certain article alleged by plaintiff to be libelous. This publication took place during a political campaign when plaintiff was a candidate for Sheriff of Allegheny County.

We are advised in the briefs of counsel that other publications of a somewhat similar character going…