Arizona republican., 1912-07-31
The Compromise Pleas of the McNamara Brothers to Save Their Lives of Which Defendant Said He Was Not Hopeful
GOOD WITNESS FOR
 CLARENCE DARROW
Denial Wholly and in Detail of the Statements of All Witnesses for State In volving Him in Bribery of Jurors
ASSOCIATED PRESS DIsPATcH1


 LOS ANGELES, July 3O.-The case of the defense in the bribery trial of Clarence DarrOW reached climax today in d mass of details and con- tradictions by the lawyer defendant himself in which he verbally swept away every charge and accusation made against him since the trial be- gan. Every shred and particle of in eliminating testimony given by Frank lin. Harrington, Behm and Detective Biddinger, in fact every bit of evidence purporting to involve him of any wrOngdoing, was characterized by Darrow without qualification as false.
 And after the sweeping denials came an impressive narration by the defendant of the negotiations which Culminated in the compromise pleas of the McNamaras, as showing lack of motive in the corruption of jurors.
 Throughout the long day on the witness stand DarrOW's voice never rose above the ordinary cOnversa tiOnal pitch, and it was only when telling of the burden which rested upon him of bargaining for the lives of his clients that he showed any trace of nervousness or emotion. Tears were in his eyes and he swal lowed hard several tims while telling the jurors of his feelings concerning the proposed dOnOuement of the labor trial.
 He knew he said that 1t would be misunderstood by organized labor and that he also would suffer. but he con- sidered neither himself nor labor in the crisis. but only the lives of his clients Occasionally during the eX- animation by Attorney Rogers, Oar row offered suggestions as to the form of questions and once or twice he left the stand to consult with his chief counsel.
 Towards the attorneys for the prose Cution he assumed an attitude of amused toleration, frequently indulg- ing in uuiZZical smiles when District Attorney Fredericks or Assistant Ford interrupted the narration or objected to a question Throughout the day, the close of which found him still un- der direct examination. Darrow never appeared more calm or composed
 For forty-five minutes after the midsession recess, the jury again heard the story of the peace nego- tfations" first told by Lincoln Stef- fens. the magazine writer, and this time. without interruption step by step by the defendant. The witness told simply and directly without inter poIation of any philosophical theories or economic doctrines, the plans for the compromise please and the incl dents in connection herewith leading up to Franklin's expose.
 It was the hopelessness of the case, he said. which prevailed upon him to agree with Steffens proposition, in which he had little faith in it's incep- tiOn T felt" he said, that owing to the number of lives lost in the Times explosion. and the bitter feeling in the community, that it would be diff ficult to avoid the death penalty for both men. wanted to save their lives if possible But the plan seemed hopeless to me and it was some time before I presented it to my associates and clients"
 Darrow told how he communicated with Samuel Gompers during the con- vention of the American Federation of Labor at Atlanta asking him to send to Los Angeles by the first train either Tveitmoe, JOhansen, NOCkels or Gunrev. the latter president of the holders union. He did not receive Q reply until November "A when Mock els wired him from Chicago and the latter told him to come at once.
 He told also of the Oposition of tho National Erectors association to any compromise of the case II was in formed" he said. that the associa- tion contended that it had spent $5O.- 900 in the case and did not want i settled that way, but General Otis he said. agreed to reimburse them anC reimburse them to that extent as h' wanted the case closed. Consultation with the McNamaras was told of, an' the willingness of each brother to ac cept the sentence provided that thu other could be freed and how bou finally were persuaded to take thei sentences together
 We did it." commented tn witness believing that the time would com when the sentences would be com muted or the men pardoned. I stil cling to that belief.