Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-03-08
REPORT PERSISTS THAT LEADER
WILL ASK FOR MERCY
OF COURT.
PLEAS OF GUILTY EXPECTED
FROM MANY OF MABRAY PALS
Mabray and His Associates Seem to
Fear Revelations Sure to Be De-
veloped in Triai-Mabray to Be Ar
raisned for Trial at Council Bluffs
Observation-Disclosures Assembling.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Council Bluffs, March S.-Rumors
current for some time that j. c. Ma
bray, alleged and acknowledged leader
in the so-calied swindle syndicate. to
be arraigned for trial in this city
Thursday, will plead guilty, are again
heard with greater persistency and ac-
companied by an air of probability.
Mabray's attorneys continue to deny
it but there is strong reason Cor be-
lieving that Mabray will throw himself
upon the mercy of the court and take
his medicine and that his alleged as
sociates will all do likewise.
1t is known positively that the gov
eminent attorneys and officials expect
pleas of guilty from a number Of the
defendants. 1t was stated today by
Prosecuting Attorney NJ. L. Temple,
that tentative proposals looking to
plea of guilty by Mabray, the chief de-
PENDANT. had been discussed by the fed
eral officials Mr. Temple said, how
ever, that there had been nothing def
mite yet from Mabray. He added that,
after considering the matter, he would
much prefer that Mabray should not
plead guilty, inasmuch as such action
would circumscribe the evidence of the
government as to the other defendants,
and that, with Mabray in the case, the
evidence against the other defendants
would be much stronger than if Ma
bray should plead guilty. There is also
the possibility that if Mabray pleads
guilty there will be a rush OF the other
100 and more defendants to do like
wise.
Fear Court Revelations.
In addition to the fact that to plead
guilty may result in a lighter sentence,
there are other potent reasons given
for a motive in the case. It Is well
known that desperate efforts have been
made to prevent the federal govern
ment securing premises of pleas Of
guilty from other of the indicted men.
by Mabray and leaders in the alleged
swindle syndicate, and much testimony
that is feared by the accused men
would thus be headed off. Despite the
wide publicity that has been given the
operations Of this, gang, it is well
known that much remains to be told
and that some of the most sensational
and Interesting details OF doings charg-
ed to the members of the syndicate has
never been revealed to the pupNc. Ih1S
is what Mabray and others close to him
want to prevent going into the testi-
mony and the only wayrto head It on
is for them to plead guilty. Moreover,
it is expected. THAT If xMabray pleads
guilty he viii be given tredit on what
ever punishment the court metes out to
him for the year and one month that
he has already served while awaiting
trial Considering the extreme penalty
on the charge of using the United
States mails to defraud is but two
years, this will be seen to present quite
an inducement That Mabray and his
attorneys take 1t for granted the cases
in the state courts against their client
will not be pushed in case the accused
pleads guilty in federal court, is taken
for granted.
Many Witnesses in City.
Nearly 100 witnesses, attorneys and