Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-07-30
Lawyer on Trial at Los Angeles
on Charge of Jury Bribery
Proves Excellent Witness for
Himself,
GIVES CHRONOLOGICAL
HISTORY OF NOTED CASE
Relates How Reluctant He Was
TO Accept Mcnamara Case
and of the Great Influence
Brought to Bear by Labor.

ny MornIna sorrnn' rper'a, Leases wire,
Los Angeles, July 2s.--Clarence s.
Darrow on trial for alleged Jury
bribery took the witness stand In his
own behalf today, we'll toward the
close of a session which began with
the discharge of Juror L. A. Lcavitt
and the substitution of Alternate
Juror A. M. Blakesley, and which
otherwise was consumed largely by
arguments. In the brief time he was
on the stand, Darrow refuted testi-
mony by George Benin and Bert
4 rankin, which had been considered
as very damaging To his case.
The long anticipated appearance of
the noted lawyer r-defendant in the
role of witness, came after a futile at
tempt by the defense to get posses-
sion of the grand jury testimony Of
Q. A. Tveitmoe. the san Francisco
labor leader and a successful effort to
secure the documentary evidence now
held by the district attorney.
After several hours of oratory and
the placing on the stand by the de-
fense OF Assistant District Attorney
4
promised that tomorrow it would
give the defense copies Of any doeu
ments specifically named and which
were in possession of the prosecutor
Chief Counsel Earl Rogers, of the
defense, said he desired any kilograms
or letters sent by Darruw July lst and
December ,, 1911. to Samuel Com
pers. John r. Harrington, Edward
n. Nockels, Leo Rappaport and Frank
NJ. Ryan. Ryan at the time was sec
retary of the international Associa :
ton of Bridge and structural Iron
Workers, and Rappaport an attorney
of the same organization.
Darrow told of his reluctance in
accepting the Mcnamara case and
the influence brought to bear upon
him by leaders of organized labor to
defend the accused dynamiters, which
finally resulted in his coming to Los
Angeles. He narrated In chronology
cal order his preparations for defend =.
ing the brothers.
Asked about his relations with
George Benin, uncle OF Ortie McMani-
gal. barrow said that Behm and Mrs.
M cManigal had visited his home in
Chicago, where Mrs. McManigal com
planned of the manner in which her
husband had been treated by W. j..
Burns, the detective.
She told me-" continued the de-
fendant. that Burns, through his
agents. Malcomb McLaren. had shad-
owed and followed her every place
she went. and had asked her to go to-
Los Angeles, where Burns would pro-
vide her with position.
II told her to get what money she
could out of Burns and | would give
her the rest needed to make the trip.
She said she wanted her uncle to come
with her because of her poor health
and Benin said he would come.
II asked Behm to use his influence
with McManiga to find out whether
the stories printed by the newspapers
and purporting to come from nm,
were true and said that If they were
not | would defend McManigal along
with the rest, if desired Behm told
me at that time that an uncle or "A
brother of his had seen McManiBal in
Toledo and that McManigal had said
he was employed by the National |
Erectors' association. have since
heard this from another source.
II had no conversation at any time
with reference to getting McManigai
to change his testimony said Oar
row emphatically, and never gave
him any money Tor that purpose. !
Attorney Rogers then brought up [
he chronological sequence of the de-
fendant's narrative.
Did you hear Franklin say here,
he asked, that the first time you ever
spoke to him concerning the bribery |
IF jurors, was on october 5th. ana |
hat on the succeeding day, October
ith. YOU gave him check FOR Sl0oo
Tor such purpose
Yes
WAS that true?'
i had no such conversation with
Fra anklin," said Darrow. Nor did
give him any check on October 9Th
'or any purpose. ! did give MIN |
heck for $1,000 on october 4th and
think / gave him the next check
ibout October 18Th. These cheeks
we're for the expenses of his Office.
Franklin testified on direct exami-
nation that on october 5th Darrow
irst had talked Of getting Jurors
md that he was given check for
900 the next day to bribe Robert
T. Balm.
The defense promised To produce
It the resumption Of the trial tomor-
-ow morning the check for $1,000
;iven Franklin on october 4th.
----..--