Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-02

the McNamaras, reiterated today that the
compromise was best for all concerned
namely, James B.. to get life imprison-
ment instead of the death penalty, and
John j. brief prison sentence. while
for the accusing side came the victory
Of the case with its pile Of evidence, gath
cred after long and vigorous investiga-
ton.
It was the sequence with which things
happened that drew forth most curiosity
today. How long did counsel for the de-
Tense know Of the guilt Of the defend
ants? When was the compromise first
preached? And what Of the bribery
charges that were made In the midst of
the negotiations for a settlement Of the
trial? These were the questions that
were generally propounded today.
AS far as the district attorneys Of
fee is concerned. the defendants pleaded
guilty because they were guilty." That
was the explanation Of District Attorney
F'redericks.
AS to what thing induced the defense
TO YIELD" he declared, that is something
which they alone can explain
Many members of the district attor-
pey's staff. however. were of the opinion
that the defense had been forced to lay
down Its arms, as a result not only of
the evidence which was gathered by its
men, but of the effect which a convic-
ton in the Franklin bribery case might
have upon the chances of the McNa-
maras. That the Franklin incident forced
the acceptance Of the compromise by the
defendants themselves is still believed. in
many quarters.
I'VE had a very strong case whichever
way you look at it," said Assistant Dis
trict Attorney G. Ray Horton.
Saw Handwriting on the Wall"
On the other hand. those who partici-
pated in the movement to influence the
defendants to yield through their coun-
sci hold that, the McNamaras and their
attorneys saw the handwriting on the
wall and became convinced that a much
better solution for all concerned than a
trial could give would be reached by a
mutual agreement at this juncture.
One of the factors which is said to have
entered strongly into the matter is the
physical condition Of James B. McNa-
mara the younger brother. Fears have
been expressed by some who know him
personally that, though he faces a life
sentence, his years are numbered.
Carelessness in caring for his physical
welfare is said to have weakened his
heart. John J. Mcnamara has admitted
heretofore to friends that James B. has
not taken the best care of himself. The
possibility of the appearance Of heart
trouble while the trial was in progress
had been discussed by his counsel. Once,
when juror was excused on account of
illness, Attorney Darrow, 1t is recalled.
suddenly exclaimed: II hope nothing hap
pens to James B. He doesn't look WE'LL"
Judge Bordwell Silent.
announcement of sentence now is in
the hands of Judge Walter Bordwell The
district attorney can make recommends
tons, and usually they are accepted, but
the court is by no means hound to i'm
pose the sentence suggested.
Judge Walter Bordwell would not talk
for publication today in this connection,
but it is said he favors life Imprisonment
for James b. and a few years for John j.
The indictments against John j. for
completely in the Times disaster are ex-
pected to be quashed on motion of the
district attorney next Tuesday, as 1t is
said John J. himself did not direct the
blowing up of the" Times. while he has
pleaded guilty to the charge of having
caused the Llewellyn iron works explo-
sion, in which no lives were lost. The
minimum sentence for this offense. &C.
cording to statute, is one year, and there
is no maximum penalty fixed.
Under the penal code Ortie E. McMani-
gal will be sentenced, as he is expected to
plead guilty to a similar charge of having
off no TJawal1vn iron
works.
Cost of Trial to State, $2OO, 900.
The total cost to the state thus far Of
the trial is estimated to be close to $780,
600, and the abrupt ending of It Is cal
culated to save the county nearly 81 Co.,
600.
It was reported today that the COM
promise did not extend to the abandon
ment of the bribery charges against Burt
II. Franklin.
1T is our duty to prosecute this case"
declared District Attorney Frederic IS:
John J. Mcnamara and his brother,
James B.. expected a busy day. Tele-
grams of. various kinds began to pour in
from friends expressing sympathy. Many
believe that the McNamaras offered them
selves as martyrs to a cause. and became
resigned 10 tNelT tate Oh tHdt dCCoulit
The McNamaras maintained their, cheer
fulnSss today. The prisoners told the jail
ers they were glad that the ordeal was
over.
One of the things around which inter-
est still centers is the exact manner in
which the explosion was accomplished.
The alarm clock device. with its full
mnating cap touching off the nitrogly-
Germ bomb, now is accepted by the de-
Tense as the method by which James y.
destroyed the Times. but Attorney OAR
row remarked that the amount of explo-
sive in the bomb could not have caused
the wreck entirely. The bomb exploded
and gas was ignited The fire then began
to eat up what the explosives had not de-
molished. This is Attorney Darrow's ex-
3. cannot throw any more light on the
town Immediately after setting the alarm
clock bomb under the Times building the
afternoon pre- eding the explosion.
Discharged Jurors Happy.
1t was happy coterie Of ten men, COM
prising eight sworn jurors and two tales
men passed for cause, who spent today
at their homes, relieved from serving on
the Mcnamara jury. task that was dis
tasteful to all.
For two of the jurors il was the first
taste of freedom for six weeks The Jurors
were delighted with the turn of affairs.
They were not in the courtroom when the
pleas Of guilty were entered by the de-
: ~ by Judge Bordwell of the cessation of
II IF fhayy, ~