Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-29
CASE OF CONDUCTOR COOK
State Department Looking After
American Imprisoned in Mexico.
LAWS DELAYS ARE PECULIAR
state Department. official Explains
reason for Long Wait for Trial
Statute Does Not Per-
NIT BAIL.
LAWS DELAYS ARE PECULIAR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-Actlng under
the demands of labor unions, the State de-
partment has called upon the American
embassy to investigate sharply the matter
Of the incarceration Of Conductor James A.
Cook, an American, who was arrested and
imprisoned for alleged completely in the
robbery OF freight trains on a Mexican
railroad. Cook has been imprisoned for
some time without trial and his friends In
this country have besicged both the White
House and the State department with de-
mands that he be given immediate trial
or be admitted TO bail. In cases of the
kind the latter alternative is never resorted
to under Mexican law.
The text OF the Tote addressed to the
embassy is not made public. although what
purports to be a copy Of the note was
published in an afternoon paper here to-
day, State department officials declined
TO say whether it was authentic or without
foundation in fact, but they lid acknowl-
edge that the United States diplomatic
representative in the Mexican capital has
been instructed to undertake an Immediate
and thorough investigation into the matter
an6 bring the request OF the United States
government 10 the attention Of the Mexican
Foreign office.
DFAAioh "a HNhte department
THE department deplorss the stories
based on this action" said a high official
Of the state department tonight. The
United States has taken steps TO safe
guard the rights Of an American citizen
because the friends Of that citizen believe
those rights are not being recognized.
Personally ! know little about the case.
but do know that the man in the case
has not been Imprisoned much longer. II
as long, as many suspected persons under
the same charge have been incarcerated
in this country awaiting trial, 1t is entirely
natural that the friends Of Cook should be
anxious about him and should likewise
exert every effort to have him brought a
speedy trial The idea Of an American.
pictured as helpless and subjected to per.
s,cution. languishing in a foreign jail, al
ways will appeal to the tender-hearted It
is altogether likely, however, that the
Mexican law is taking its course
Cook. II is said here. was a member Of
the Brotherhood OF Railway Trainmen be-
fore he went to Mexico 20 work on the
railroads there. This organization is a
powerful one and closely allied with other
railway labor organizations equally power
full, These labor bodies have brought
powerful pressure to bear. not only on the
NAlAe houHc anu Nr STATE department.,
but also on congress. and the delegation
from Kansas, the state from which Cook
halls. has taken up the matter.
Psculiarities of Mexican Law.
AT the present time the exchanges be-
tween the United states and Mexico are
purely friendly and Informal They are
being conducted through the regular
diplomatic channels and on the part OF the
department with = complete recognition of
the peculiar laws governing the opera
tion OF railways In Mexico. Not the slight
est friction. the officials Of the depart
ment insist. has arisen as a result OF the
interchange and a satisfactory solution OF
the entire situation is a matter OF only a
few hours or days AZ the furthsst.
Tn existing delay In The matter Of Civ
ing Cook a hearing Il wen known here.
Under the Mexican law. the conductor OF a