The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-10-19


Los Angeles, Cal. Oct 1S.-"Well
get the right jury said William j.
Burns chief operative AIcLaren at the
ond of the second days session of
court in the MCNAMARA case The
knowing leer on the face of the brutal
detective spoke louder than his words
The conclusion of the sleuth was
undoubtedly based upon the rulings OF
Judge Bordwell on the objections of
the prosecution to have questions pro-
pounded by the attorneys for the de-
Tense to prospective jurors:
z. T. Nelson, a retired merchant
living at Long Beach was evidently
anxious to serve OH the jury. Th.
prosecution was equally anxious 10
have him. Burns men wanted him.
Judge Bordwell made rulings that
can best be Interpreted by the reader.
The first important question that
was asked was put by Lecompte Davis
of the defense:
Have you an opinion, Mr. Nell
SON. asked Mr.. Davis, Whether labor
unions. as they exist today in this
country, are proper, or are they in
imical to society and menace to the
welfare of the community?"
Then arose terrific objection on
the part of the prosecution. Nelson
said he was not prejudiced against
labor unions. His apparent mental
reservation caused attorney Davis to
say: This defendant is member of
organized labor, and L presume the
motive they will claim--and l do not
think your honor cau have any doubt
# bo ;o1,o
the commission of the crime was to
avenge what they will claim was the
attitude and the conduct of the TIMES
toward organized labor. Now we have
got to meet that. ra;.$Te-is~no question
about it and that matter has been dis
cussed long before this crime was COM
mitted and the question now presents
itself TO your honors mind.
should man who is absolutely op-
posed to organized labor. who is biased
| and prejudiced against organized la
Dor, SIT on this jury?"
Davis argued that bias and prejudice
were exclusive quantities and that he
| sought to develop the real state of
Nelson's mind. The prosecutor Wild
ly objected and Nelson. the prospec-
tive Juror. in his eagerness, volun-
| teered the information that he was a
reader of the TIMES.
The Job Hartman quickly asked
Does the use of the strike by the
unions in conflict with the employers
prejudice you against them?"
| "As far as the strike is concerned.
no.. replied the talesman. But in the
way they are carried out"
Never mind, that will do said
Judge Bordwell with great haste
Clarence Darrow sprang to his feet
and said in loud. clear tones: Il sub
nit that the court interrupted this
| talesman as he was about to explain
| his state of mind. 1t IS plain this
| man has u prejudice and was about to
state it when the court stopped him. =
The court ruled that the question
had been properly answered and Dar-
! row made an exception. Darrow's s
| quick action nonpulsed the court and
the defense quickly took up its ad-
! vantage
| But as strikes are carried on?''
| quel'ied the defense?
Il was about to say. said the tales
| man. taking his cue from the judge
"that-that-T know nothing of how
they are carried on
This weak and shifty statement
caused ripple of amusement to run
through the courtroom.
Burns men. who are virtually III
| charge of the prosecution. We're elated
over the rulings of Judge Bordwell
and it was upon these rulings and his
interruption and guidance of Nelson
| that they based their hope of getting
J the right jury.
We've got them here and we'll hang
| Them. has been the oft repeated state.
| ment OF Burns and his operatives.
= Now they have changed it to: Wei
get the right jury and We'll hang the
McNamaras.'
Hearsts Los Angeles EXAMINER
played up the most vicious story thai
has been printed since the arrest O
the Mcnamara boys. Coming out Will
a first page flare on the opening day
of he trial the yellow sheet repeated,
spoke of the younger Mcnamara a.
james Bryce. The whole intent
: seemingly. was TO prejudice the public
against the prisoner on the day n
: was to be tried for his life.
This following the persistent cam
paisn of the tt MES in circulating it
infamous pamphlet to every possibt,