New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-04
CALLS THAW A MENACE
DIR. BAKER REPLIES TO
JUSTICES QUESTION.
He WoUIdn't Let Him Out-White s
SLAYER Then Takes Stand and
Shoes Confusion.

Not in all the sessions so far OF the court at
White Plains, which are 10 determine whether
| Harry X Thaw is sane enough to be allowed at
4 large. has Thaw come near TO losing his nerve
| as he did yesterday noon. DIR. Amos T. Baker,
| OF Matteawan. had Just told Justice Mills that
| in his opinion Thaw at liberty would be
| menace to public peace and safety. when Jerome
| Unexpectedly called Thaw himself to the stand.
Justice Mills had intmated that DR.. Baker,
opinion would weigh heavily with him. ana
| Thaws efforts to stand up under this blow to
his chances were pitiful to watch lie trleo
| desperately TO make good showing in explain
ing certain OF his writings more or less incoher-
ent that were handed 10 him by the District
Attorney. Fortunately for him the quizZing was
short and came just before the recess He left
the stand with alacrity, but he displayed signs
of confidence that he had acquitted himself
creditably. such as he has shown on other oc-
casions
Even the efforts of his lawyer TO come to his
relief by asking him TO identify the affidavit OF
one Ada c. Dickert, sent to MIN during his
imprisonment in the Tombs failed to restore
Thaw's serenity. on the statements or the
woman il is expected that Mr.. Morschauser Will
do much 10 prove his contention that Thaw was
suffering from no deluson when he believed that
Stanford White and his companions maintained
house I'm West oath street for the ruin of
young girls.
COURT EXAMINES DIR. BAKER.
Justice Mills took DR. Baker in hand after Mr..
Morschauser had announced that no was through
with the witness. Thaw and the members OF
his family looked more than expectant when the
justice said:
Now DR.. Baker I consider you a very i'm
portant witness in this proceeding. You are a
public official charged with the administration
Of public affairs in just and equitable manner.
just as I am myself. Therefore want TO ask
farr Tba law I
slider. contemplates and requires my asking You
these questions. 10 which I must attach consid-
cradle Importance"
On being assured ny DIR. Baker that DR. Lamb,
the superintendent of Matteawan. would not be
at the hearing. and that he CDR Baker, had had
full charge Of Thaw. the justice asked DR.. Baker
if he had reached firm and full conclusion
to the sanity or insanity Of Thaw. or If he had
not had sufficient time to reach such a conclu-
sion.
Thaw and his family were looking worried
and Mr.. Morschauser was Directing on the
ground that DIR. Baker had not qualified as an
expert Justice Mills ruled however. that It
was his duty obtain the opinion of the medi-
cal authorities in charge Of Thaw DR.. Baker
said that though he had had opportunity for
only limited examination he considered Thaw
insane He acknowledged. however. that the
examination had not been sufficient 10 enable
him under our care from February /. iaas 10 Nav
OF That year, and from October. 1905, this July
DIDNT ANSWER HIS QUESTIONS
Q.-NOw, l don't quite understand why that on
portunty has not been ample TO enable you reach
fun, free conclusion? A-This man has not
Q.-And thai is your reason? A1Yes.
a6svl5ed iGm yGur notes II seems 70 M that he
months of his stay? A:-No not all.
ev,v B 91e5o 6l%ately &idnt he practically answer
Q-And taken as a whole. would not these
answers cover the entire subject In a way? A
Well they cover the subject in a way. but in his
cite metaphors answer in metaphors. and. when I
Mould press him 70 he more specific, he would fan
give me any answers.
Then Justice Mills asked DR. Baker about the
case of Jennie Burch. who was tried for murder
before the Justice in March 1907 She was ac-
quilted on the ground OF insanity and sent TO
Matteawan. After three months DR. Baker Ger
titled IN Justice Mills that she was sane and
ought 10 he discharged. But DIR. Baker said
that in Thsw's case he had not had the oppor-
tunity 10 make a full examination due largely
10 Thaw's refusal to questions
Q-You told Mr.. Jerome there has baon M
proceedings? Does that mean that he is no bettsr
no Change for A be or the wsg or the other
Q-suppose. doctor had this man under
and were dependent solely upon your own lS'o ob
results q int
rogations Of him: what would be your state ic'e Of
mind them my state OF mind in that respect
dence Of mental enfeebiement certain evil
=, Q-fon have strong suspicion that such Is
NJ, assa. Al nave very strong suspicion 10
Based on the data Of observation alone?
o.-Erom your observation of Mr.. Thaw and
gout sudy OF the ful history OF the case have Won
IN 9sa am OF this man? AThat takes in my study
aelts as wen as the fun medical history of the
Ooh. yes: everything A.-Then NV nos,ior
Is that the man is insane ny PoS'ioh
o-ls that fairly well settled conviction ON vour
r. ana S GOES IL apply to his present condition?
Q;mWhen you say he is insane what do Won
menace the public peace and sasnt,. " quo pe
Is a danger to the public safety? Ayes sir: 7 do
THAw TAKEN OFF HIS GUARD.
Thaw's usual pallor had turned 10 lvidness
While this conversation lasted He had No tirna
to recover before Mr.. Jerome asked him To take
the stand There was no sign of the assurance
he has displayed when fencing with Mr.. Jerome
before on questions of personal history.
Mr. Jerome. quick to take advantage NJ tho
witnesses trouble condition handed him fonr
sheets of paper on which were scrubbed in lead
pencil the following:
Who connected him with Jeromeg
Let him show the cOmradeship between b,,,..,,
ana Jerome and any others. 'eii
,,. ASH Hummel how he met White Hummel after
49, regulated many girl victims for White eari,,
M H. D 90 you pay TO Edna Goodrich ana her
house while Stanford White waited upstaiTsa 'iei
- al Valho can explain. The document cd be uboto
on a Notary Public Jurat & a signature ~ 80
gerry OF Evelyn Nesbit photo on Vi ior-
Ihe name Dellis unknown 10 Miss Nosb;. -
De 1903 paper. simple signsfIra h. may ~ nor
->espit was criminally stamped on a iuraf nv the
ihis vas dated June -. 1906 but TaaN, in
..ueh CONFUSION explained he had written il AZ