Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-28
M AY BREAK DOW N
THAW'S FAMILY GETTING VERY
ANXIOUS OVER HIS CONDITION.


NEW YORK. March 2S-This afternoon
will see the first session of the commission
| which is to determine whether Harry K.
Thaw is sane insane. 1t consists of
David Mcclure. who became its chairman
upon the unexpected withdrawal from the
commission yesterday of ex-Justice Morgan
| ]. O'Bren: DR.. Leopold Putzei and Peter
B. Olney. The commission will meet at 2
o'clock in the courtroom where the trial
of Thaw has been going on. 1t is uncertain
what the commission will do today. Moth
ing more may be accomplished than to or
sanize and to accept from counsel the am
davits filed with Justice Fitzgerald when
he was seeking information as to whether
or not to appoint the commission. District
ATTORNEY Jerome had copies made last night
of all of the affidapfts and exhibits of the
prosecution for presentation to the commits
sion.
Daniel OReiIly Of counsel for Thaw said
yesterday that Thaw will surely appear be-
fore the commission and answer all Of its
/ QucStiOHS, anu tHdt RS VIA odASaAAAA
to a physical examination by any experts
sent to him for that purpose. Thaw's other
lawyers had nothing to say on this subject.
May Require a Week.
1t was said about the criminal courts
building last night that 1t may require a
week more for the commission to hear
all of the witnesses who will be cited to
appear. In any case the commission will
expedite its work by all the means in Its
power.
AS it Is. Thaw Is becoming nervous and
excitable under the steady strain. His
friends and relatives fear that he will
break down unless the case ends soon. His
wife too is giving way. When she was tn
court yesterday with the prisoners mother
and brother and sisters it was noticed that
her cheeks were pale and Sunken and her
brow wrinkled. When she and Mrs. VIII
liam Thaw went to Thaw's cell In the
Tombs after he had been told by his law
yers that Justice Fitzgerald had appointed
Mr.. Mcclure in place of ex-Justice O'Brien
it Is said that she collapsed. But the
elder Mrs. Thaw is reported to have borne
herself with much fortitude. Thaw was
almost violent over the prospect of further
delay.
Hartridge for ThaW.
Clifford W. Hartridge. the attorney of
record of the Thaw case. will conduct the
case for the defense before the lunacy COM
mission. Mr.. Hartridge said today that he
saw necessity for the presence of Mr..
Dcmas before the commission. Mr.. Hart
ridge also said that Thaw will take the
witness stand in his own behalf during the
commissions investigations. Mr.. Hart
sal h1
questions the members of the commission
might ask. will put no obstacle in the way
of thorough investiga on of all the facts,
and will help the commission by every
means il the power of the defense. But"
he added there will be no direct or cross
examination on the part of the district at
torney, if can prevent 1t.
Wants It Private.
Daniel O'Reilly of Thaws counsel was
quoted today saying that Thaw has in
sisted that his examination be conducted
in private. declaring that the ordeal would
be trying one under any circumstances,
and that he wanted to be spared the scru-
tiny of spectators while he undergOes it,
1t was reported today that Mr.. Jerome
has issued a large number of subpoenas to
compel the attendance as witnesses before
the Thaw commission of many walters cab
drivers. hotel belEoyS, cafe managers and
others who may have observed Thaws con-
duet in and about the cafes and theaters.
1t is said that Mr. jerome wants this evil
dence to go before the commission, in order
to show Thaws mental condition before
the date on which Evelyn Thaw testified
that she told him the story Of Stanford
Whites treatment of her. According to
one report 1t will require at least two weeks
for the lunacy commission to hear all this
testimony, together with all the other evil
dence it will require. and therefore the
trial. If resumed at all. will not be reopened
before the middle of April.
Mrs. Tifaw remained only q short time
with her husband today, and when she left
the prison her face showed traces Of tears.
Thaw Commission in Session.
The Thaw lunacy commission went into
open session at 2:06 pm.
Thaw appeared before the commission
Immediately, taking a seat inside the
clerks rail. The session is being held in
Justice Fitzgeralds court.