New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-17
MAY DROP DELMAS.
California Lawyer focused of Cir
ing Iniudicious Interuiezcs.

Unusual developments I'm the case of Harry
X Thaw are expected by tomorrow morning,
when the trial will be resumed before Justice
FitzGerald in the Criminal Branch of the Su-
preme Court. 1t Is learned good authority.
that in all probability Dolphin Michael Delmas,
the much heralded lawyer from San Francisco.
who has been conducting the examination Of
witnesses. will be dropped from the defence.
and Clifford w. Hartridge, the attorney of record
viii assume active charge. AS for Henry Clay
McPike, partner Of Mr.. Delmas it is understood
he has never been a regularly retained counsel.
and hereafter viii have nothing TO do with the
case.
The dropping Of Mr.. Denas, although not
positively determined upon, is as certain as It
can be before conference which IS scheduled
for to-day between the other counsel and the
family. The decision came after a conference
Of all the lawyers yesterday which lasted all
the afternoon and until o'clock last night and
then was interrupted only for dinner, and con-
tinued until late in the night.
For some time, it understood, colleagues Of
Mr. Delmas have been much dissatisfied with
printed interviews purporting TO come from him.
| Counsel believed these interviews were a gross
breach of professional etiquette. The climax
was reached on Friday and yesterday on Fri
day Mr.. McPike. supposedly of counsel.
issued a statement in which he severely criu-
csed the court and District Attorney Jerome.
Later he denied the interview. despite the state
ments of two reporters.
DELMAs DENIES INTERVIEW.
Yesterday Mr.. Delulas followed up the inter
view with a typewriter statement which he
gave. exclusively. to newspaper. Mr. Hart
ridge happened to hear of this interview. and
hurried gathering of counsel resulted. They
went in a body to Mr.. Delmass Office TO demand
an explanation. The reporter who had received
the interview was present. Mr. Delmas. ii Is
however. insisted that he had done so
understood, denied making it. The reporter,
A conference which lasted for hours followed.
and it is understood that counsel told Mr Delmas
many things The Interview it is understood,
consisted principally Of attack on colleagues,
particularly regarding the alleged suppression
of the case of the Lederer divorce. 1t is also
understood that Mr.. Demas again criticised the
prosecution and the court for rulings and objec-
tions going a step further than his partner
McPike had done on Friday.
Mr. DeImas said he did not issue the state
ment. and it was decided that the interVie"
would not be published.
After the conference the other lawyers. VINO
were in a particularly angry frame oI I"l''"'
held second conference.
In the mean time Harry Thaw had been told
OF the occurrence, and, it is understood, sent
written word to Mr.. Hartridge, his attorney OF
record to use his discretion as TO the counsel
retained for his defence. This allowed Mr.
Hartrdge full sway.
Last night. 10 get the familys views before
final action was taken, John =. Gleason con-
ferred with Mrs Evelyn Thaw. lie explained 10
her fully the situation and what the decision Of
counsel was and asked her advice Mr.. Hart
ridge did a similar service for Mrs. William
Thaw. The result of these conferences will he
known to-day.
MRS. WILLIAM THAw AROUSED.
The interview which Mr.. McPke issued
Friday stirred Mrs. William Thaw yesterday to
unusual action. and she issued statement, over
her own signature and in her own handwriting,
denouncing the action. She wrote
Mrs William Thaw wishes IT understood that
+bA LAWYERS retained as counsel for her son are
Messrs Hartridge Peabody, Gleason, Demas
and O'ReiIly. Any one else sitting by courtesy
and making statements in advance Of evidence
does so without warrant and it must be re-
garded as a breach Of confidence IL such state
ments are founded fact. Mrs. Thaw is moved
TO say this by of the publication as to
methods Of defence. whether assumed or real"
Mr. Demas when asked If he had given the
interview. said:
'eIf any application for a lunacy commission
is made by NIr. Jerome it Will be opposed by me.
do not see any indication for such a move"
Mr.. Delmas, evidently fearing some unexpect-
ed move tried TO explain his action of the morn
ing when he summoned Mrs. Evelyn Thaw to
his office for a conference, although it had been
arranged to hold a conference in the Tombs at
the same time. He said:
81 came 10 my Office at 9:45 o'clock. Soon
thereafter ! had one OF my clerks telephone to
Mrs 'rhaw saying l desired to see her. 1t was
said she had left her hotel. / then sent one Of
nv Young men to the Tombs and had him ask
her If she would here. DIR. Evans was
with me at the time Mrs. Thaw arrived and
vas in consultation with him when she came
here was in consultation with her, and then
"a. went 10 the Tombs. She was not in the con-
sultation room during my talk with Mr.. Thaw."
MIR DELMAs's ASSIGNMENT
Nr. Delmas was first retained in Thaw's de-
fence in october. He had made one cross-con-
tinent Journey before, but was not retained, and
returned Later IL decided TO retain him.
When he came here he entertained by Mr..
Hartridge. senior counsel and rooms at the
Yale CluD were obtained for him. 1t is learned
Continued second page.