Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-13
REV. 1D C0PP OUT EXPLAIN TO COURT ClOSE TEST OF JURY
Of Hns and Heap Rigid Inquiry by Attorneys
fce Dismissed Contempt Mcnamara Trial.
LACY CITED BY JUSTICE GOULD REGARDED AS FORECAST
of
0rdes He Is Wa Drawna q Juor
inh Nelson
10 Cor
ludd Casof awra
Rigid Inquiry by Attorneys in
The Mcnamara Trial.
REGARDED AS FORECAST
Questioning of First Man Called to
Establish Rule.
ATTITUDE TOWARD LABo
Examination Of Talesman Nelson,
Begun Wednesday, Not Yet Con-
cluded-Clash of Lawyers.

| LOS ANGELES. Cal, October I3.-Ex-
| animation Of Talesman Il. r. Nelson of
Pasadena was the first proceeding set be-
fore Judge Walter Bordwell in the su-
perior court today in the murder trial of
James b. Mcnamara. Questioning of
talesmen, frequently regarded a dis
NAL proceeding, furnished in this case
interest to spectators and partisans be-
cause 1t was expected to define, in ad-
vancinG the opening arguments. some or
the essential issues of the trial which is
designed to show whether the defendant
is responsible for the death of Charles j.
Haggerty. who with others was killed
In the Los Angeles Times explosion over
! a year ago. For nineteen deaths James
B. Mcnamara is held on Indictment, but
| the state has elected to go on trial on
Haggerty's case.
| It was 1O:14 o'clock when court con-
vened.
| District Attorney Fredericks informed
the court that he would like to withdraw
his objection to- the unanswered ques-
ton directed to z. I. Nelson Wednesday.
| Text Of the Question.
|. The question was: With reference to
the officers and men who direct the man.
| agement of the affairs of labor unions,
do you believe that the great majority
| Of them are lawless men?
| Lecompte Davis at once asked the ques-
tion of Mr.. Nelson. who replied: Il do
| not believe l can answer that question.
1 do not know anything about the Off,
GERS"
II don't know anything about them"
You seem to hesitate before answer
Ing. Have you any doubt?'
can't say"
You realize the defendant is on trial
for q matter that concerns labor Or
ganizations and you have no opinion
about the majority of the officers being
lawless men?''
"A great many are and a great many
not"
Declines to Draw Line.
About half and half, then?"
II could not draw that line"
II you thought great majority you
would say so?'
II my mind was made up"
Don't you know, Mr.. Nelson, that you
are preJudiced against officers of the Ia
Dor unions?'
mo. should not say So"
The state objected to the line of ques-
tiontng as assuming that the veniremen
knew that the defendant was member
OF organized labor. and that no evidence
proof to that effect had been introduced.
do you deny that the defendant is?"
asked Mr.. Darrow.
I'VE are not giving testimony" an
swered G. Ray Horton of counsel for the
state. II want to state in open court"
said Mr.. Darrow. quickly, that this de-
fendant Is a member of organized labor.
IF you were a member of organized
labor" continued Davis. in questioning
ttpn w1Str on 6nR4 r@nv
would you feel that a turyman in the
box such as yourself could give the de-
fendant an impartial trial?''
There Is no evidence in the case on the
subject Of unions so far as can see."
I'm other words you have such an opin-
ion as 1T would take evidence to re-
Yes
Had Read Newspaper Reports.
Mr.. Nelson admitted that he had read
newspaper reports Of the case.
Ibid you read o. E. McManigars tes-
timony before the grand jury. as publish
ed in the Los Angeles Examiner"
II don't think 1 ever have. but 1 have
TT is upon the statement that you have
heard that o. e. Mechanical gave before
by the mayor to investigate and the in
vestigation you have made yourself that
you form your opinion?"
Mr.. Horton objected that the question
was too complex.
The court permitted the question to be
answered.
II formed my opinion from what little
I have seen. and the opinions of the
general public as to how the explosion
occurred"
Have you any opinions as to the guilt
or innocence Of the defendant?'
II have"
How long have you had those opin-
ions?''
-Four to six months"
Nelson's attitudue toward labor organi-
cations and their members touched upon
at the preceding session of court, was
made the subject Of further inquiry for
the defense. under Attorney Clarence s.
Darrow. and the rulings of the court, on
objections interposed by District At
torney John D. Fredericks and his aids.
and the outcome was awaited as show
ing what confines would be placed upon
the examination Of other talesmen
New Man on the Panel,
Before Nelson's examination was taken
up. H. s. Poppenbush was called into
the box as talesman to replace one dis
missed at the last moment Of court
Wednesday because OF physical in
ability to stand the fatigue of long
| trial.
Nelson, ruddy-faced man of sixty
two years, from the start answered
questions put by counsel with delibera-
| tion. weighing his answers.
"I can't answer that question, because
I'm not sufficiently familiar with the
subject" was his reply from time to
time to questions concerning his atti-
| tude toward labor organizations, as he
understood them to exist in California
and elsewhere.
Because Of the determination Of ques-
tions involved in the examination of
| Nelson, the first talesman, it was said
that questioning Of other talesmen
would go forward much more rapidly.
The taiesmen. transferred last night
from the ofhcial jury room to more airy
| quarters, romped like boys at their
| morning bath. and appeared immensely
refreshed by the day Of ease offered
| by yesterdays legal holiday.