Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-14
2. T. Wilson, First to be Ex-
amined, Confesses to Hav-
ing Opinion as to Guilt or
Innocence of Defendant.
ANTIPATHY TOLABOR
BASIS OF QUESTIONS
Attorneys Seeking to Learn
Individual Views Of Pro
spective Jurors on Cues
tion Of Unions.

Los Angeles, Cal, Oct, 13.-After
hours of persistent questioning the de-
tense in the trial of James B. McNam-
ara challenged for cause, ,pvenireman
z. +. Nelson, near the end of the m.'in-
l. :, Session.
Nelson was the first venireman ex-
amined in lne trial Of the first of the
cases resulting from the explosion
which wrecked the Los Angeles Tines
building .ear ago.
From the start Nelson's extreme
hesitation In answering questions put
B by Attorney Davis for the defense was
generally noticed and it finally brought
an admonition from Judge Borwell.
Have you any opinion that would
require evidence to remover" was
the question finally put up that drew
direct answer.
II think I have" said Nelson, and
later he amplihed this to include "an
opinion as to the guilt or innocence
OF the defendant"
Assistant District Attorney Horton
for tie state examined Nelson briefly,
eliciting reoteration Of the assertion
that he would need evidence to remove
his opinion. with the supplementary
declaration that, he thought he could
give fair trial
after the veniremen had an auto
ride, they came into court with bristl-
Ing boards, 1t having developed that
none Of them was accustomed to shaw
ing himself Various types of razors
were sent up to their rooms and re-
iected They thereupon decided to re-
quest the appointment of barber who
should be allowed to shave them
under the supervision of a deputy
sheriff. The prisoner, accompanied by
Sheriff Hammel, sauntered into court
nodding to several friends. He took an
inconspicuous seat against the rail
and chatted for minute with Clar-
ence s. Darrow, his chief counsel.
It was 1914 o'clock when court con-
vened. III. s. Poppenbush was selected
to fill the vacancy in the panel.
District Attorney Fredericks in
formed the court that he would like
to withdraw his objection to the un-
answered question directed to T.
Nelson on Wednesday. The question
was In reference to the officers and
men who direct the management Of
the affairs OF labor unions. DO you be-
lieve that the great majority of them
are lawless men2"
Lecompte Davis at once asked the
question of Mr.. Nelson, who replied:
81 do not believe can answer that
question. I do not know anything
about the officers"
''Well, what is your belief about
them?"
4 do not know anything about
them"
.You seem to hesitate before
answering. Have you any doubt?"
II. can't say
"You realize the defendant is on
trial for matter that concerns labor
organizations, and you have no opinion
about the majority of the officers be-
ing lawless men?"
"a great many are and great many
are not
''About half and half, them"
II could not draw that line"
''If you thought great many you
would say so?'
"If my mind was made up
'Don't you know, Mr.. Nelson, that
YOU are prejudicted against officers Of
labor unions 2"
EMO. should not say So"
The state objected to the line OF
questioning as assuming that the ven
iremen knew that the defendant was
a member of organized labor and that
no evidence or proof to that effect had
been introduced.
.Do you deny that the defendant is?''
asked Mr.. DarroW
1--WE are not giving testimony" an
swered G. Ray Horton. Of counsel for
the state. II want to state in open
cour. !. -aid Mr.. Darrow quickly, that
ti1..-x # is a member Of organ
lied labor.
'.If YOU were a member Of organized
labor" continued Davis, "and you were
a defendant would you feel that a
iuryman in the box such as yourself
could give the defendant an impartial
trial?"
"There is no evidence in this case
on the subject Of unions so far as can
see"
'.In other words you have such an
opinion as it would take evidence to
reverse?"
Yes"
Mr. Nelson admitted that he had
read newspaper reports Of the case.
"Did you read o. E. McManfgaPs
testimony before the grand jury as
printed in the Los Angeles Examiner
IN pooo 4