The Detroit times., 1908-12-18
JEFFR|ES REFUSES
To CRUSH WOMEN
WITH FINE
THREE CONVICTED OF STEALING
COAL FROM RAILWAY LET OFF
WITH WARNiNG-TAlkS OF
JuGGERNAUT, GREED.

A lively debate between Police JUS
tice Jeffr.es and Attorney Adam Bloom
as TO the rights OF corporations as
compliments In criminal cases
marked the trial OF three Hungarian
women for the alleged theft OF coal
from the Detroit. Toledo 4 Ironton
railroad, early Friday afternoon. The
discussion at times waxed so warm
that It looked as though the attorney
were In imminent danger OF being
yanked UP for contempt. but he Kept
within bounds.
The defendants were Mrs. Mary
Sueta. Mrs Steve Hornjak and Mrs
Steve Domonski, all OF whom live on
Bacon-st.. in the Eighteenth ward
close to the railroad. Their homes
along with several others In the
neighborhood, were searched recently
by officers armed with search war
rants. and the visit revealed about 1OO
tons Of coal slowed away In every
available mood and corner. The rail,
road officials assert that the coal was
taken from their cars, but there was
no means of identifying It. and the
complaints against the three defend
ants tried Friday were based on the
larceny of a sackful in each instance.
Testimony was introduced to show
that they had been seen carrying II
away, after throwing 1t from the cars.
The women insisted they had bought
the coal.
What do you want me TO do with
these women?" asked Justice Jeffries
OF the attorney, when the testimony
was in.
Il want you to impose a good. stiff
fine to teach these people a lesson. "
replied Mr.. Bloom.
"A heavy fine means Imprisonment"
objected the court. These women are
poor. One Of them has six children
and husband who is unable to work.
can't pay and let her work 1t out In
the house of correction while her lit
tie ones starve at homer"
These people are not poverty strick'
en-" insisted the lawyer. They have
money. We want you to fine them"
How much will you contribute to
get her out II fine herr"
I'm contribute as much as you
will"
II won't contribute anything--ite
not my province"
well, we want you to contribute
justice. That's all we are asking.
This railroad company pays Its taxes
the same as any citizen and II Is en-
titled to the same consideration. Ii
you suspend sentence on these wom-
en- they will go out and laugh at you
and keep right on stealing"
Justice Jeffries was now thoroughly
aroused.
81 do not believe" he declared with
emphasis. that the juggernaut, greed,
should be permitted to crush these
poor people into the mire 80 far that
they will never be able to recuperate.
| do not believe justice demands that.
You have said that they do not work.
that they live In idleness and support
themselves by stealing. My observa-
ton has been that Hungarians. as a
rule, are hard working. Industrious
people. You don't find any tramps
among them, except In few isolated
cases where they have felt the touch
OF modern civilization. l will suspend
sentence on these women and give
them another chance. But I say to
them that IL they are brought In again
on this charge will fine them"
Attorney Bloom continued his end
of the argument after the cases had
been disposed Of until warned by the
court to keep quiet"