The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-31


 Chairman McC
 ever. that the witnesses VII. to confne themselves to facts ions which deal with the presen, e, ton of Thawi, but will not be allowed to go into details of the past or future.
 Harry K. Thaw was under direct ex- amination foy the commissioners for rno,a than three hours today, and linen fnt. torty-five nin1tes he was under the fire of District Attorney Jerome on cross-e,- amination. Thtis eross-examinatio, , allowed by the lcommiasion only after . vehement protest from tho prosecutine of, 'fieer that ie had not been allov.d a,f-. hcient latitude in the inquiry. T.nioyi,,-- Hls lrst opportunity of questioning the delendant, Mir Jerome attempted to go into Thaw's past life. but objections to this line of examination by Thaws coun- sel were sustained by the commission which held the district attorney to the dl- rect issue before the Iunacy board whether Thaw is capable today of nm derstanding the character of the proceed- ings against him, and of rationally ad- vislng his counsel
 Hearing Kept Secret.
 Thaw's direct and cross-examination .o- day was held behind closed doors and the commission used every preeaution tn nave the hearing kept secret The at- torneys were cautioned not to discuss Una case Tn any way. When Thaw's ordeal was ended, the doors were thrown open. and it was announced that the execntiva sessions were at an end. As soon as tha session became public, District Attorue,- Jerome called Dr. Allen McLane Hamilton to the stand
 The commission had summoned Dr. hamilton at the request of the district attorney. As the aienist took the stand however Thaws counsel pleaded the nro fessional privilege in bar of any testf- mohy to be offered by him. Dr. Hamilton hiinself asked to be instructed on this point. Mr Jerome claimed that tho de- fense by introducing pr. Hamilton as a witness In the Thaw trial had waived the right or privilege. The commission held that as the privilege had not been waived before it. pr. Hamilton could not testify as to his personal examinations of Thaw.
 Shows Feeling.
 District Attorney Jerome took but a. desultory interest in the proceedings nm til after 1t seemed the commission was about to lose it's inquiry. Then he jumped to his feet, protested that he had been haiHPtito III tHt lunaCH pfOcefu1QUS hV the commission barring ont pertinent tes- timony, declared the commission had re- fused to illuminate It's intelligence" from documentary evidence which he had pre- sented. and had neglected to hear expert testimony. MT. Jerome asserted with some feeling that if he were allowed the proper latitude he could prove beyond a reason- able doubt that Thaw is insane today. and incapable of advising his counsel in q / rational manner.
 After the district attorney had spoken at some length Chairman Mcclure told him that if he could produce any experts who could give a competent opinion as to Thaw's present state of mind the com misison would hear them next Tuesday morning.
 That Is all I desire" said the distrN attorney.
 When the public session began District Attorney Jerome seemed somewhat irrit- able and was constantly involved in wordy cllashes with members of the com- mission. His urgent manner of arguing that he had right to adduce additional testimony before the commission rendered It's verdict was generally regarded as a concession that Thaw had made favor able impression during his long examina- ton.
 Thaw Is Calm.
 During the District Attorneys exam nation 1t was said Thaw deported him. selr most credlDly and answered Mir. Je- rome's sharp pointed questions with calm ness and delberation. Thaw appeared in jubilant spirits when the public was ai- lowed to enter the court room where the commission was sitting. To reported, who leaned over and congratulated him the showing he had made Thaw re- piled:
 ''rhak you very much. but I thought that was to be kept a secret
 Thaw's attorneys expressed themselves as entirely satisfied with their clients examination. Altogether he was on the stand six hours counting Thursdays ses- sion. MT. Jerome's ss-examination the attorneys declare, did not shake Thaw in the least.
 Mir. Jerome declined to discuss the