New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-08
G0FF LOSES HIS PATIENCE
Intends to Cut Down Examina'
tion of Talesmen, Declaring
Methods of Getting Ju-
ries Are Almost a
Public Scandal.
M'INTYRE NEARLY PUT OUT
Wife of Becker Glad When Trial Is at
Last Begun, and Husband Advises
Lawyer Regarding Selection
of Men in Whose Hands
His Fate Rests.

Ills due heSLS.
Harold 3. Skinner, Of No. Col West
135th street, manager Of tho New York
Edison companys branch, at No. 83e
Third avenue, was selected as the first
juror in tho Becker case. He was the
only juror obtained yesterday. He is
a son Of Charles r. Skinner, former
State Superintendent Of Instruction
under Governor Hughes. Mr.. Skinner
will act as foreman Of the jury.
The start OF the trial yesterday OK
Lieutenant Charles Becker before JUS
tice Goff, in the extraordinary term OF
the Supreme Court, on the charge OF
instigating the murder Of Herman
Rosenthal, the gambler, was replete
with exciting incidents, unusual even
to big trial in its early stages.
After four hours Of wrangling and
protracted examination of talesmen.
counsel for the defence occupying by
far the greater part Of that time, with
the result that one juror was accepted,
Justice Goff lost patience and tartly
warned Becker's counsel that If the
jury was not completed by D o'clock to-
day he would begin a series Of night
sessions Of court.
The tactics employed by lawyers
lately in selecting juries has led TO
lengthy and unnecessary delays in
tho
almost a public scandal said Justice
Goff. II intend TO cut down the ex-
animation of tslesmen in this trial as
much as possible. l give counsel fair
warning at this tine that il full jury
is not selected by ) o'clock tomorrow
will announce night sessions Of this
court"
Threatens to Eject Mcintyre.
Justice Goff's warning to John F. Nc
Intyra Becker's chief counsel, and Mr..
McIntyre's associates, Lloyd p. Stryker
and George w. Whiteside, both former
Assistant District Attorneys, who oc-
cupied so much time in examining
talesmen, was the elimination OF sew
eral sharp tits between counsel for the
defence and the court during the days
session. When Mr.. Mcintyre sought
further delay for Becker's trial at the
opening of the proceedings by attempt
ing to make several technical motions
he ran afoul of Justice GOffs ire ana
the court threatened to have the lawyer
expelled from the courtroom II he per-
sisted in arguing his motions after the
court had denied them.
II will hear no more of this" Justice
Goff declared with some show OF heat
II have denied your motion. We will
proceed here In an orderly manner.
Your long experience should teach you
that q courtroom is no place for such
harangues. If you do not cease shall
direct an officer to eject you from the
ROOM
Mr.. Mcintyre subsided and the get
ting Of the jury began. Becker's law
yer had asked for a weeks adjourn
ment because Of the illness of John w.
I Hart, the defendants counsel of rec
ord. to whom much Of the preparation
OF the defence had been left. Mr.. NC
Intyre said. Justice Goff promptly de-
MED the motion.
II have another motion to make"
continued Mr.. Mcintyre, I'VE were pre-
pared to go to trial at this time. but
certain circumstances have recently
arisen which to my mind will deprive
the defendant of fair ana unbiased
inquisition. A fair and impartial trial
cannot be had under these condi-
tions"---
Justice Goff interrupted Beckers
lawyer and denied his motion. declaring
that he would not entertain any further
delay. -.
| Counsel Assails Whitman.
| Mr.. Mcintyre raised his voice, shook
his fist in the air and fairly shouted
do / understand we are TO be forced
to trial in the face>of the unwarranted
statement circulated by the District
Attorney that the murder of Big Jack
Zelig was a serious loss to the prosecu-
ton, when he knows that he would
have testified nothing in favor Of the
prosecution, but, on the contrary. would
have been a witness for the Defence
protest !.
stop. stop" broke in Justice Goff.
attempting to check the lawyers in-
pulsive plea. This is court Of JUS
tice, and we will proceed in an orderly
manner with the regular course of JUS
tice."
But the regular course Of justice has
been interrupted" shouted Mr.. Mcin-
tyre, "and the defendant excepts to
being forced to trial" -
II was then that Justice Goff threat-
ened to have the lawyer elected from