The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-16
Viii be First Meeting Since
Killing Of Stanford White
CONFERENCE WITH ATTORNEY
Clifford w. Hartrldee, Jr, Is Chief
Counsel for Harry X. Thaw.
Former Attorneys Have
Been Dismissed.

New York, July 15.-Mrs. William Thaw
was prohibited today by the prison rules
from visiting her son Harry X Thaw, in
the Tombs, but 1t was announced that
she will see him some time tomorrow,
probably in the afternoon. 1t will be tho
first meeting of mother and son since the
tragedy on the Madison Square roof gar
den. when Thaw shot down Stanford
White.
Mrs. Thaw returned from Europe yes
terday. Mrs. Thaw is staying at the
Hotel Lorraine. where Mrs Nesbit Thaw,
her daughter-in-law. has been making her
home since Harry Thaw was arrested
There was a conference at the elder
Mrs. Thaw's apartments this afternoon
at which Clifford w. Hartridge. Jr., who
has become chief counsel to the prisoner
since the latter's unexpected dismissal OF
the law firm of Black, Olcott, Gruber q
Bonynge, was present.
What transplred is not known and Mr..
| Hartridge declined afterwards to say
what changes If any, were contemplated
in the line of defense
In speaking of the case today Mr..
Hartridge said that while he realized
young Thaw was In IAN awful hole" he
did not believe that any jury would eves
| convict him of anything
Il feel as sure of that" said the at
| torney, 'as | do that | am standing here.
1 would stake my soul on It,"
An Old Friend.
Previous to making the statement Mr..
Hartridge had explained that for years he
had been a personal and even intimate
friend of Harry. and It was as such that
he originally was called into the case.
As to the reason leading up to the de-
! cision on the part of Thaw to dispense
with the seryices-of Black, Oloott, Gruber
| & Bongyne, Mr.. Eartridge said he could
not speak at this time.
He added:
Judge Olcott is a personal and pro-
fessional friend of mine and 1t would not
be fair to him or to Harry to talk about
that phase of the case until | shall have
had an interview with Judge Olcott.
expect to see him tomorrow. and get from
him the results of his work of the last
| two weeks or more | have already re-
| ceived from Judge Olcott many of the
papers In the case, including long
statement to the judge by Mrs. Harry
| Thaw The others, Judge Olcott tells me,
are locked In a safe deposit vault down
| town, and will be handed over TO me to-
morrow as soon as the bank opens for
| business"
Hartridge Talks.
Mr. Hartridge then said to the report
ers:
II want a fun and frank understanding
with the men who are going to follow this
tha I uIa Hrst Of
all that nobody shall be misled and that
no 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 or
the public and friends of both persons
most concerned in the affair. All that we
want Is the truth. II will come out In
good time
From a suggestion made by Mr. Hart
ridge 1t is evident that both Harry Thaw
and his wife are anxious to make some
kind of a statement, for the new chtef
counsel said that among other plans he
had In mind, was one providing that
Harry and Mrs. Harry Thaw should write
out for him whatever they think or feel
that the newspapers should know. and he
would pass on the articles and II he APP
proved them, would give them out to the
newspaper men. 1t is known to those
who have talked to Thaw and his wife
that there are several subjects on which
both wish to speak, but their lips hays
been sealed hitherto by counsel. These
subjects deal in great part with the early
life and family relations.
Insanity Theory.
Mr. Hartridge was asked by one of the
reporters If he was in position to out
line what the defense might be, particu-
iarly what the attitude of the present
counsel would be on the insanity the
ory, in view or Thaw's strong determt-
nation not to be tried with that defense.
Mr.. Hartridge said:
II will not now nor at any future time
before the trial give even hint of what
the defense WILL or may be; such pro-
ceeding would be unfair TO my client, as
well as unprofessional. It will be months
before he will be brought up for trial
anyhow. l do not look for the trial be-
fore November or more probably Decem-
ber."
Thaw spent a quiet day in the Tombs.
He had counted on a VISIT from his moth
er in spite of the frequent warnings from
Warden Flynn that there is little likeli-
hood Of her getting past the portals on
Sunday
Warden Flynn said that day had been
the most restful for the prisoner since
.l.R