The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-03-02
HEARINGS OF MOONEY
APPEAL TO BE FARCE
Continued from Page 1.

Continued from Page 1.
letters. papers and documents in the
possession of the government, a man
by the name Of Mooney, formerly
secretary of the Duluth local of the
Structural Iron Workers union, had
conspired to transport dynamite as
charged in the Indictment.
He was not at liberty to produce
the papers although he stated that
he had some of them with him. The
testimony was objected to by the at
torneys for the defense on the ground
that Mr.. Brennan was telling only his
opinion and that he did not know OF
his own knowledge. This Mr.. Brennan
admitted, but the commissioner al
lowed the secret agents testimony
to stand.
Defendant Has No Rights
Mooney seemed to have no rights
in the hearing before the Commits
sioner at all. His attorneys claimed
that the government must show by
fair evidence and by men who knew
other than by papers and documents
not introduced into evidence, that
Mooney is the man named in the in
dictment and also that there is prob
able cause to hold him for trial at
Indianapolis.
This the commissioner denied, stat
ing that the only matter before him
is the matter Of identity. He al
lowed all the government evidence.
which was largely hearsay, and cut
tho attorneys for the defense off at
every opportunity.
Herman Tatzke, assistant cashier
an expert on handwriting by AS
sistant United States Attorney Oak
ley, although Mr.. Matzke frankly adj
mitted that he was not an expert and
that all the experience he had was
in comparing signatures at his bank.
The evidence of Matzke was OBJ
jected to on the ground that he had
mot shown himself qualified to tes-
tify. but this was overruled by the
Commissioner. who stated that any
one could testify as to handwriting.
Handwriting Expert i'm Doubt
Matzke said that while the two
signatures were very much unlike
and that there is a chance that one
might be a forgery, he was reason
ably sure that the two signatures
were written by the same man.
MS eNlQeICe WdS also received IN
spite Of the objection of the attorneys
for the defense, who offered to so in
to the ma tier fully and by important
rulings all over the country, prove
that the Commissioner was wrong in
admitting the testimony of the special
'agent and that of Mr.. Matzke.
ut the first hearing Commissioner
Pressnell stated that he had import
h,,ct Il L.
hearing would take as LITTLE time as
possible. He seemed to want to rush
the hearing through.
Attorney Kenncy Comes Back
Attorney Kenny stated in court that
he could not think of any business
that the Commissioner might have
which is more important than decid,
ing on the merits of a case where a
mans liberty for a lengthy period is
Under consideration. 1t seemed to
disturb the commissioner that the de-
Tense attorneys would take time tc
i" argue on the submitting of evidence
From beginning to end the hearings
We're farce in which any sort of evi.
dence the government wished to in.
troducc was accepted and anything ir
MONEYS favor was promptly rejected
The final argument and ruling vii
be made Saturday and it is practical
ly settled that the Commissioner will
rule that MONEYS identity has bee,
regularly proved by the government
The defense will have another
chance to be heard. however, as tn
next hearing takes place before Judg
Page Morris Of the Federal court.
Must Go To Jail
Mooney will probably be sent bacl
l. TO the county Jail for safe-keepine
Then it will be necessary for tn
United States attorney to make ap
| plication for warrant to remove hin
to indianapolis for trial.
At that time the defense will hav,
| another chance to be heard. The at
| torneys will again ask that the gov
| eminent be made to submit evidenc
- other than that obtained from paper
| and documents not shown in court
| They will ask that they be shown an
| not made to take some special agent
| word that certain hazy indication
point to Mooney as a guilty man.
! AS this hearing will be before
regular federal pudge and a man VIII
has the right to make certain ruling.
r. 1t is thought that the government
will be made to show what they have
before the warrant giving permissio
to remove Mooney to Indianapoli
| will be granted s~f. ~