The Sentinel=record., 1911-10-12

 CASE IS ON
QUESTION 'oF PREJUDICE ON LABOR QUESTIONS ARISES
 IN NAMING JURORS.
From the Line of Questioning it Will Probably Require Long Time to Get Competent Jury
 In The Case.

Los Angeles, Oct. 11--James B. McNamara went on trial for murder here today before Judge Walter Bord : well in the Supreme Circuit Court amid circumstances as austere, and simple, as proyerbial, as western jus tice.
 District Attorney John D. Frede- ricks for the prosecution elected to try him for the murder of Chas Haggerty, a machinist. who with 20 other men met death in an explosion and fire which wrecked the Los An- geles Times building October l, 1910.
 This case was picked from 19 in- dictments of murder found against the prisoner, his brother John J. Me Namara, Secretary of the Interna- tiona Brotherhood of Bridge and Structural lroa Workers; William Caplan and NJ. A. Schmidt, both at large, and four unidentified persons specified as John Doe, Richard Roe and John Etiles. because Haggerty's body was found nearest the spot where the explosion occurred.
 The prosecution contends the ex- plosion was caused by dynamite. the defense that 1t was caused by gas.
 The new hall of records in which the trial is being held is only a stones throw from the scene of the explosion. This was the setting of the final stage today. Upon it's the counsel for the defense, headed by Attosney Clarence s. Darrow, of Chicago, in questioning the jury and arguments to Judge Bordwell sought to depict a mighty contest between organized labor-the McNamaras are union men-and it's opponents, with out much opposition from the prose- cution.
 Attorney Lecompte Davis. examin- ing jurors, headed straight for this point. ss
 Are you aware that there is a bit- ter warfare between capital and la bor?" He sked zet Nelson, the first yeniremen examined.
 Yes" said Nelson.
 And that most men have taken sides"
 Yes"
 Have You the opinion that iabos unions as they exist are proper, or that they are inimical and a men, ace To this prosecution objected | because counsel is asking the opin- ion of witness on evidence that may arise during the trial.
 "He may answer" said Judge Bord. well, and Nelson said he was mot preiudiced."
 Further questions were met by the assertion from Attorney w. J. Ford of the prosecution that this is no, a union labor trial. "
 ''Do you take the Los Angeles | Times?" and do you read the week ly page to and versions on labor?' were other questions put.
 Are your sympathies with or ganized labor or not?"
 "G. Ray Horton counsel for the prosecution, objected to the question and Mir. Davis launched into de fense of his question to the court declaring that the case was "one tha involved organizezd labor"
 T have no doubt of that" sait | Mir. Davis. That the prosecution will bring in as motive the attitude of organized labor.
 The contention will be that organ ized labor caused the explo sion. to get even think it would be proper to ask if man had an! bias or prejylice to orgPhized Ia. bor.
 MT. Davis withdrew his question fina ly and asked of Mir. Nelson Have you taken any interest il the labor war, or have you studIe' the question:
 "No more than have read in tn papers.
 Well have you formed any opin ion as to whether labor unions ar proper, are inimieal. or a menac in the United states2"
 Counsel for the prosecution ob jected that the defense was endeay bring to ascertain the opinion of MI Tors as to other matters that wer