The Washington times., 1907-03-30
Board Again
Calls ThaW
For Inquiry

NEW YORK, March 90.-The Thaw
lunacy commission resumed its hearing
at 1925 this morning in secret session
with Harry Thaw before them. Harry
Thaw took the stand again and con-
tinued his effort to prove that he Is sane
and able TO consult with his counsel.
Following the examination of Thaw, it
was planned to call on the stand DR..
Allen McLane Hamilton. the only alien
list who has been summoned 10 appear
before the commission.
At the beginning of the hearings, Mr.
Jerome had sought to have DR.. Hamil-
ton called by the commission, but this
has been refused. Later, Mr.. Jerome
was able to present additional reasons
for calling Or. Hamilton, and the COM
mission consented to have him ques-
toned.
Call TOmbs Attendants.
Dr. Hamilton may be followed by a
brief examination Of attendants from
the Tombs-Warden Flynn, DR.. Mcclure,
the chaplain, and half a dozen deputy
wardens and keepers-who have been
ksubpOenaed &c appear before the com
FACTIONS and conversations in the TOmbs
since he was imprisoned there.
The altogether rational idea OF the
commissioners is that men who have
seen Thaw daily, cOnversed with him,
looked after his wants. and had an op-
portunity to observe him under all The
conditions Of prison laws are much bet
ter as to the nationality of a prisoner
than professional alfenists
In this connection II may be said that
mot an official or an attendant at the
Tombs who has been approached with
regard to Thaw's condition, holds to any
other view than that the defendant Is
absolutely rational.
Declare Thaw Rational.
Hes all right" is the general opin-
ion. "Of course, he has his little freaks,
like all prisoners. You would say they
were all insane If you had TO live here
with them and saw the funny freaks
they develop. Get locked UP as they
are for a few weeks and you Will see
what effect it has on you. But Thaw is
cheerful. as they go. gives US no trouble.
and is as sane as they come
Dr. Mcclure. the Tombs physician.
who has had an excellent opportunity 10
study Thaw and has made excellent use
Of his opportunity, is known to have be-
come convinced that Thaw is sane.
Thaw Impresses Board.
With more and more learned OF Thaw's
conduct at the secret session OF the lu-
macy board opinion crystalized today
that he would be declared sane One
answer after another OF his astOnished
the commission, his own lawyers and
particularly the district attorney. Es-
peciaHy did one Of his answers impress
the commission. It was in regard 10
his wife Thaw said:
7 meant just what / satd-that
feared my wife would break down under
her fearful strain and l wished 10 spare
her as much S possible 1 did not in
tend to say, nor did ! imply, that / de-
sired that she should hold back any ma
terial facts
Important Facts Brought Out.
The examination developed several
hitherto unknown facts in regard to the
whole case. one of them being sensa-
tional in character Chairman Mcclure
Of the board, asked Thaw In regard 20
a note to Lawyer Delmas, in which
Thaw referred to the advisability Of
calling an unnamed woman witness
whose testimony Thaw implied would
be OF help to his defense.
Thaw hesitated before giving his an
sWers, but he was not confused. APP
parently he knew clearly what he was
doing
Finally he said that he thought he
should have the advice Of his counsel
before answering several questions
This. Of itself. had a remarkable effect
upon the commission. Lawyer Hart
ridge said, however. that all objections
were waived and that ThRw was at lib
erty to say anything he pleased.
Defends Woman's Name.
Thaw then made this remarkable
statement:
'Weu, gentlemen, what I meant was
this: The woman referred to is now
living in a small town IN Wisconsin.
She was ruined by Stanford White but
she has since reformed. In fact. I think
Il was ner only slip. She IS now a re-
spectacle woman. married and happy.
When heard her early history I
wrote to a lawyer in her home town
and secured a statement from her. But
j do not think, IN view OF the respected
position which she occupies today, that
her name should be mentioned"
Jerome Promises Secrecy.
Il will state" said Mr.. Jerome. that
any name mentioned here will be re-
garded as confidential by me. and that
I viii never use it or refer 10 1t any
way"
4 still think the woman is entitled to
more consideration than that" said
Thaw. If some one viii give me q
piece Of paper I will write on IL the
name of the woman and her maiden
name, the name of the town where she
lives, and the name Of the lawyer with
whom / cOrTespOnded. I Will allow the
commissioners 10 see what have writ
ten. but object 10 anyone else doing
So