The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-02
TRIAL IF DYNAMITE. CASES |S UNDER WAY.
Lines Upon Which Jury
 Will Be Chosen Outlined
MANY OPINIONS HELD
Talesman After Talesman Excused After Stating Belief That Labor Men Stand Guilty as Charged.
 Defendants Reduced

Indianapolis, Ind. October 1.-Lines upon which jury is to be chosen for the trial of 46 defendants, accused of com plicity in a widespread dynamite con- spiracy against employers of non-union labor were indicated today in the exami- nation of talesmen.
 The trial was begun before federal Judge A B. Anderson and the original number of 54 men indicted, headed by Frank M. Ryan, president of the Interna- tional Association of Bridge and Struc- tural Iron Workers, was reduced to 46- the government withdrew the charges against three men, another defendant was absent, because of broken leg. Ortie E. McManigal pleaded guilty and another de- fendant was reported mot found"
 John J. and James B. McNamara, serv- ing terms in prison in California, also were reported mot found"
 No sooner were the preliminary mo- tions ended than Judge Anderson said "Call a jury" The court had stated the sessions of the trial would be for at least six hours daily. Summonses have been prepared for from 300 to 400 witnesses. It was believed a jury would be completed in week.
 Kern Examines Talesmen
 Talesmen were examined by Senator John w Kern and William N. Harding for the defense and by District Attorney Charles w Miller for the government.
 J. NJ Hatfield, a farmer and country school teacher. was excused because he said he had an opinion that the defend ants were guilty
 "Where did you get that opinionT'
 "From the newspapers. I read the ac- counts of the McNamara trials at Los Angeles and that the grand jury at h. dianapolis had indicted these men. This convinced me they are guilty
 You know, don't you, that these de- fendants were indicted icintly with the McNamaras."
 "Yes, it would take evidence to over come my opinion"
 You say you read about the blowing up of the Los Angeles Times building. the pleas of guilty of the McNamaras, the confession of McManigal. and you concluded they were all jointly guilty in carrying explosives on passenger trains?'
 Yes, sir, that is my belief, and it would take evidence to remove that impression Hatfield said.
 Much of the questioning was devoted to whether the talesmen ever had had rela- tions with union labor or were prejudiced for or against it.
 Burgess Doesn't Know Burns
 As former banker, John Burgess, New castle Ind, was asked whether William J. Burns,sa detective, who arersted Me- Manigal and the McNamaras, was at present employed by the American Bank CTS association. Burgess said he did not know.
 One man was excused because he had sons who were members of labor unions.
 Did you ever read McManigals con fesslon, in which he duplicates these de- fendants, as being associated with him In carrying dynamite and nitro-glycerine about the country?" Charles w. John son, a farmer, was asked.
 "Yes, I read it, and together with the fact that the grand jury found indict- ments here, convinced me these men are guilty" he answered
 James H. Hurst, another farmer, said: "The government wouldn't have to in- troduce any evidence to convince me these men are guilty. I am convinced already"
 Ten more talesmen were excused after expressing similar opinions.
 Attorney Harding explained to the tales men that the governments charges were not that the men caused explosions but only that they illegally transported ex- plosives.