The Washington herald., 1907-03-31

New York, March 30.-The examination
OF Harry X. ThaW by the commission
which is TO decide whether or not he is
now able TO nationally advise with mis-
counsel as to the conduct OF his trial for
the murder Of Stanford White, was nm
ished this afternoon, Thaw was on the
stand for over three hours. and during
that time he was not only questioned by
the members OF the commission. but by
District Attorney Jerome. AS on Thurs
day. Thaw's examination was in private
only the three cOmmissiOners-Dayid Nc
Clure. Peter B. Olney and DR.. Putzel-
District Attorney Jerome, his assistant,
Mr. Garvan the lawyers for the defense,
and officers Of the court being present.
When the commission met at 1015
o'clock in the morning, Thaw Immediately
took the witness chair in Justice Fitzger-
aids courtroom where his trial has been
going on. and with the exception of a
brief intermission for lunch he was on the
stand until nearly O'Clock. Then there
was an open session OF the commission, in
the course of which, and after very
pointed speech on the question Of what ev-
idenee the commission should receive, Dis
triet Attorney Jerome appeared to have
won a victory.
Thayv stands Ordeal Well.
From what could be learned from those
who attended Thaw's private examination.
he went through the ordeal very well.
Even Mr. Jerome's cross-e examination,
which lasted about three-quarters of an
hour. did not hurt Thaw TO any extent.
It was not expected that the commission
would allow MT. Jerome to get at Thaw.
and it had been hinted that il he did,
Thaw would appear i'm a very different
light before the commission. As it
turned out. 1t was said Thaw carried him.
self well and showed little or no indica-
Iion that he was not possessed of his mem
tai faculties. at least so far as anything
could be judged from his answers.
Mr.. Jerome's examination was not Sc
we're one He did not go at Th8w ag-
gressively, or in a way 20 anger him or
make him lose his temper He stood very
close % Thaw. and the examination was
carried on in something Of a cOnversa-
tional tone Thaw showed no bitterness
toward Mr.. Jerome, and apparently did
not resent anything he did or any ques-
ti0ns he asked
For one thing. Mr.. Jerome was not
lusions he had at the time he killed
White He was also barred from inquir-
ing into Thaw's belief that there was
conspiracy on the part of the district
attorney and influential friends Of White
10 railroad him 10 an insane asylum The
commission ruled that il had nothing to
do with Thaw's condition at the time lie
killed White. but was simply concerned
with finding out his present mental com
dition.
Letters Not Admitted,
Nor would the commission allow Mr..
Jerome to go into the letters written by
Thaw to J. Denniston Lyon his Pittsburg
banker, since the trial began. At least
one member of the commission. Mr.
Oiney. held that these letters should not
be received by the commission at all.
There was some argument over this ques-
tion before the commission in private. Mr.
jerome contending that the writings of an
insane man should be received by "a
mnacy commission In determining the
mental condition Of a defendant The sub
ject came up again in the opening session
and Mr.. Olney said
You know, Mr.. District Attorney that
those letters are not admissible"
Il know nothing of the kind" said Mr..
Jerome hotly At all events, the COM
mission decided that Mr. Jerome could
not question Thaw about the Lyon let
ters. Mr.. Jerome was limited TO ques-
tioning Thaw about the notes he wrote
TO Mr. Delmas during the course Of the
trial
In the course of the hearing to-day Mr..
Delmas produced more notes and let
ters from Thaw. ones which he did not
La. tod
opposing the appointment of the COM
mission. All these letters were written
10 Mr. Delmas since the trial, and many
of them concerned the calling of certain
witnesses, or contained suggestions as TO
objections 10 be made TO the testimony
Of other Witpesses. The contention Of
Mr.. Delmas is that while some of the
statements IN the letters and notes may
look queer. they are such as a layman
unacquainted with legal technicalites
would be apt TO make 10 his counsel
Thaw Answers SaneIy.
The commissioners questioned Thaw on
sentences in these letters-what he meant,
and what he intended to convey, and so
did Mr. Jerome. To both the commits
sion and Mr.. Jerome Thaw is said to
have made answers which were sane and
intelligent enough. Thaw seemed willing
and anxious 10 furnish whatever intOrma-
tiOn was wanted from him. A little Incl
dent at the close of the open session
showed Thaw's attitude toward Mr.
Jerome.
At the private hearing Thaw was ques-
toned by Mr. Jerome about some letter
Evidently Thaw did not understand what
II was all about. While the open hearing
was on. Thaw hunted through the record
TO find the letter. He was not successful
When the hearing adjourned ThaW
walked up to Mr.. Jerome and. with an air
of smiling cordialty. asked him to
point out the letter referred 20. As Mr.
Jerome fused through book of type
written pages, Thaw stood over him and
thanked him with a nod of acknowledg-
ment when Mr. Jerome found the disputed
letter,
If anything could be judged from
Thaws appearance when the doors of tn,
courtroom were thrown open at the enc
of his examinati0n-an examination whict
il is expected will have great influence OF
the commission in reaching its decision
he had not been feazed by it. He was
sitting in his chair between two of his
counsel calmly looking over a book
There was no sign OF nervousness. Thert
was not a tinge of a flush. II anything
he looked brighter and more alert thar
at any time during the trial.
PFOce. dinEs Get Lively.
The proceedings that followed wer'
pretty warm, In the first place the quos
tion of admitting the testimony of Or
Allan McI-ane Hamilton came up. Tha
was left in the air. the commission decid