Auto-Suppression of Lampy in 1917 Led to Increase in Circulation, as Designed--President Wanted Publicity

The Lampoon suppressed itself, but the issue was the Movie number and the date was March 9, 1917, the editors of the Lampoon revealed last night. The circumstances surrounding this event were in such direct contrast to the recent events that the editors enjoyed telling of another board's discomfiture.

The president of the Lampoon at the time was a friend of a movie actress, and the trouble arose from that acquaintanceship. The actress was as anxious for publicity as was the president.

Without revealing his purpose to the rest of the board the president agreed to slur the character of the actress in the Movie Issue. When it appeared the actress filed suit and hailed the board into court.

The other members of the board, utterly innocent of the whole affair were completely taken in. Frightened half to death, they are said to have suppressed the issue immediately. The newspaper notoriety given the affair rivalled the current discussion, but continued only a few days.

Then the president went away. The actress was so well satisfied with the publicity she had received that she could not forbear self-congratulation. She wrote the president during his absence, chortling over their success and encouraging him to silence. When the note was opened by a member of the board while the president was out of town, the game ended, but only after increased circulation had been made for the Lampoon and wider fame for the president's friend.