New-York tribune., 1906-07-16
THAW TO STAND PAT.
DELAFTELD GOES, TOO.
Nezo Counsel VII Contend Killing
Of White Vas JustifabEe.

said that statement would be made until ex-
/ Judge William NJ. X Olcott had conferred with
/ Mrs William Thaw and with Mrs. Harry *. Thaw.
It is understood. however that the firm considers
that Thaw had no authority dismiss IT without
cause. Mr.. Olcott was retained by Lewis L. Della
field, for years personal counsel of the Thaw
family at their request. and not at the request Of
Thaw himself
Thaw's action ii is understood is directly against
the wishes OF his young wife. well as those OF
his mother. They desire the retaining of the firm.
Mr.. Ocott will see both Mrs William Thaw and
Mrs. Evelyn Nesbt Thaw to-day, and a statement
may be given out afterward.
II was learned yesterday, through Clifford w.
Hartridge. the newly retained counsel OF Thaw,
that only has the firm of Black. Olcott, Gruber
& BOnynge been dismissed but Lewis L. Deiafeld
has also been dropped. Mr.. Delaheld is one of the
best known civil lawyers in the city. For years he
has been counsel for the Thaw family and the
night that Thaw shot White he for by
Thaw and retained by him, being the first coun-
sci retained. It through Mr.. Delaheld that
Mr.. OIcott retained, it being done at the
urgent solicitation OF the Thaw family, and prac-
ticaly without Harry Thaw's consent or knowl-
edge
BY the dismissal Of Mr. DelaAeld practically all
of the old counsel for Thaw have gone except
Frederick w Longfellow, partner Of Frederick P.
Delaheld who is still retained in a minor capacity,
on the civil end Of the case The counsel now
standing Clifford W. Hartridge, chief adviser;
John B. Gleason retained particularly in civil
capacity, ana a. t6uSSeL HedDOuy, partner VI NAt
Hartridge who will act in about the capacity
as Terence J. McManus did with Mr.. Olcott
WITHOUT CRIMINAL COUNSEL.
There is great doubt If the present corps OF
lawyers will hold full charge more than few days
Mr. Hartridge is known be looking the
field" as he expressed il, with the idea of retain
ing some capable criminal lawyer for Thaws case
Mr.. Hartridge with few exceptions. has always
practised civil law, and the other lawyers are in
the same fix which leaves Thaw practically with
out any counsel at all, as regards the criminal
end. The defence il is reiterated is really 'up in
the air" as to what to do, and District Attorney
Jerome and Assistant District Attorney Garvan
who have the prosecution in hand, went away on
Saturday for a short Southern trip feeling that
in spite of their absence the defence would be
able do practically nothing.
Mr.. Hartridge took a unusual course for counsel
in the defence of important case yesterday by
talking freely regarding the case It is true he
did not give an inkling to what the defence
would be- but he acknowledged that the insanity
plea was a thing of the past. Thaw absolutely
refuses to have anything to do with such de-
fence and will not allow it. The ''unwritten law,
it is believed. will eventually be the defence.
Mr.. Hartridge had arranged an interview yester-
day with reporters at the Bar Association. No 42
West 44th street. where he is living during the
summer. He talked for hour 70 reporters
in a private
I want a full and frank understanding" he said,
with the man who going to follow this
for the newspapers / wish first of all that nobody
shall be misled and that stories detrimental or
untrue as to either side shall get into print and be
credited to the counsel for Harry Thaw. AS It is.
many stories have been printed that have hurt the
case in the minds of the public and the friends
Of both persons most concerned in the affair. All
that we want is the truth. 1t will come out in
good time
SAYS THAW WILL BE ACQUITTED.
Mr.. Hartridge said that in the future Thaws
counsel will make public everything that is posi-
BILE without giving the actual plans OF the de-
fence. Every item Of public interest. he said.
would be made public, and he made engagements
for each day when he would give interviews about
the He appeared positive that the evidence
in his possession would clear Thaw. The insanity
defence, he said. practically eliminated by
Thaws own acts and statements AS he ended his
interview he said:
'As stand here. man. I tell you Harry Thaw
will be convicted of anything. tell you that
now. I will stake my soul it. All he wants is
a chance 70 be tried by jury of his peers. He
does not want his wealth to make any difference
in the case, and desires that he be tried any
is tried. poor not"
Have you heard from the deposed frmT' MI.
Hartridge asked.
u have heard indirectly" he said. Il sent a
letter TO the firm telling them that l had received
a copy of Mr.. Thaw's letter and asking for what
Of them, being told that the others were locked up
and could get them to-morrow Among those
| received was the statement OF Mrs. ThaW, which
Is ensy G eys1 henn retained b a be,ora2
& no not diTsety st although have given him ad
meyer ,r RneT W. his mother h9weEsT oo,,.oo
letter by messenger. which he read, and wrote an
answer to. He explained that the letter was from
Thaw bur refused to divulge the contents
It ,H9w @ about the insanity experts? he was asked
Il don't see why not. They may be useful at
some future time was the guarded reply.
remarkable decision Of Thaw in dismissing the law
firm and retaining him He said it was not his
Judge olcott is a professional and personal
10 HIM or a re to s talk about T8Hq a pse mDs 1s Of h
case until have had an interview with Judge Oh
colt expect TO see him tomorrow and get from
him the results Of his work Of the last two weeks
Speaking further about his work. he said
,ra Waat aa lew days IN which TO look oyer the en-
law myself there is much Work to be done and
whom we Shall can upon to @ d s e in the To %
and the trial of the all prepared to
wishes in this respect, He is Fellow of Strong
@ who night s poTe Se m91 o aTy
or 10 whom ne might take a strong aversion Harry
than his present counsel"
WISH TO MAKE STATEMENTS.
From a suggestion made by Mr.. HartrIdge it is
evident that both Harry Thaw and his wife are
anxious to make some kind of a statement for Mr.
Hartridge said that among other plans he had in !
mind one providing that Harry and Mrs Thaw
write out for him whatever they think feel that
the newspapers should know and he would pass on
out. II is known TO men who have talked to Thaw
and his wife there several subjects on
which both wish speak, but their lips have been
scaled hitherto by counsel These subjects deal in
lations Of both Thaw and his wife.
Mr. Hartridge was asked If he would outline |
what the defence would be- and he replied:
I viii at any future time before !
the trial give hint of what the defence will
or may be Such a proceeding would be unfair TO |
my client well unprofessonal II will be |
months before will brought up for trial any
way. ! do not look for a trial before November |
probably December"
Late in the afternoon Mr.. Hartridge called AZ |