The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-07-11
Issues Statement with the Con-
 sent of Counsel
LUNACY BOARD UNNECESSARY
Thaw Remains Smiling and Non-com. initial Despite the Rapid Fire of Questions Hurled at Him
 By the Reporters.

New York, July 1O.-Harry Kendall Thaw tonight in the Tombs prison gave out his first formal statement since he shot and killed Stanford White on the Madison Square Garden roof. In 1t the young man utters protest against being regarded as insane, and declares his coun- sel assure him that no such course as the appointment of a commission to in- uuire into his mental condition is con templated The statement was handed by Thaw in person to the newspaper repre- sentatives.
 He gave 1t out with the permission of his counsel with whom he pleaded all day to be allowed to deny in person the current reports as to his sanity and ese peclally the publication yesterday after noon of a purported interview with one of his counsel quoting the attorney as saying the prisoner was undoubtedly in- sane Young Thaw's statement follows:
 No Such Course Contemplated.
 "I am informed by MT. Ollcott and MT. Gruber that the interview with the latter in one of last evenings papers quoting him (Gruber) to the effect that 1 am now insane, and that a lunacy com- mission would be appointed to demon- strate the fact, has no foundation what ever: that MT. Gruber never made such statement and that no such course Is contemplated.
 MT. Olcott further tells me that he did not go to Philadelphia for the purpose of seeing or inquiring about Harriet Thaw, or her alleged insanity, and that his visit had nothing whatever to do with the question of my mental condition, or that of any member of my family" The statement was signed with the ln- itials HI. K. TT
 When asked if he had anything further 1 to remark, Thaw said
 That statement embodies all that l have to say
 Judge Ollcott, leading counsel for Thaw. when asked about the prisoners state ment said:
 Harry has been pestering me all day to make a statement to the newspapers. Finally, at his request 1 outlined In a general way what Harry wished to say and left it with him to be typewritten. "It was his desire that he should hand 1t in person to the newspaper men and I gave him that permission"
 Thaw Continues to Smile. Despite the rapid fire of questions hurl- ed at him by the reporters Thaw remained smiling. but non-committal, during four or five minutes he was with the press rep resentatives.
 Assistant District Attorney Garvin con- tinued today vigorously to prosecute his inquiry into the case, and had before him several prospective witnesses. Among them were James L. Ledere of Philadel- phia, who was manager of the Wild Rose" theatrical company at the time that Evelyn Nesbit. now Mrs. Thaw' was A member of the organization; May Mckenzie an actress and friends of Mrs. Thaw and Mary Leahy, Mrs Thaw l maid
 1 MT. Iedere told the assistant district attorney that it was his belief young Thaw is crazy. He based his opinion on the mans actions during the time Miss Nesblt was a member of the Wild Rose l company.
 Miss Mckenzie and the maid were questioned but briefly. being told to re- port again next week for further ex- ] animation.