Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-07-19
Distinguished Journalist, Who
is Credited with Initiation of
Compromise, Called as Wit
ness for DarroW,
EFFORT MADE TO
SAVE ONE BROTHER
1t is Believed That Verdict of
Guilt or ACquittaI Depends
Upon Date Of Agreement to
Plead Guilty.

IBy MOTnluk bOuruhs EOcciuA Le"Suu WIFE,
Los Angeles, July 1S.-Lincoln Stef-
fens writer on government politics
and labor, and the man who was
credited largely at the time with hav-
ing brought about the settlement of
the Mcnamara cases. took the stand
for the defense today in the bribery
trial of Clarence S. Darrow and gave
impressvely and in minute detail, the
history of the Mcnamara pleas of
guilty
The narration was simple and con-
else and as the witness told of the
futile struggle to save John j. McNa-
mara from the penitentiary in order
that organized abor might be spared
what in the minds of many amounted
to its own conviction, the defendant
made an attempt to hide his emotion
1t was John j. Mcnamara who was
secretary of the International Asso
citation of Bridge and Structural Iron
Workers, and greater moment there
fore attached 10 his case than to that
OF his brother
Steffens story accentuated what
appears now to be the crucial issue in
the case, whether the agreement to
have the McNamaras plead guilty was
sanctioned by Darrow more than
week previous to the alleged bribery
of Juror Lockwood, as asserted by the
defense or whether, as contended by
tn. prosecution, the negotiations vir-
tually had lapsod because of the un-
Willingness of Darrow to allow John
j. Mcnamara to plead guilty as con-
tended by the prosecution.
That this would be the stand of the
prosecutions was indicated by District
Attorney Fredericks, who declared
that it would be shown that the nego
tiations were not brought to Il climax
until the bribery expose which COM
PEELED Darrow. as chief counsel, to
submit to the terms of the prosecution
that both McNamaras plead guilty.
Stoffens declared without quaifica
ton that Darrow and the Mcnamara
brothers had consented to the plan
before the arrest of Franklin, but that
1t had been decided to continue ncgo-
tiations with the ultimate object of |
saving the elder brother if possible. |
To this end Attorney LeComptc Davis |
was sent to the district attorneys Of
flee to keep up the bluff by issu.
ing an ultimatum that there would be
no settlement if John Mcnamara had
to plead guilty.
The witness gave his residence as
Riverside, Conn, ana his occupation
as reporter. He said he came to
Los Angeles on November 10, 1911.
and that the settlement of the Nc
Namara case was first discussed at a
meeting between f. w. Scripps,
proprietor; Mr.. Darrow and
himself at the home of Mr.. Scripps
IN San Diego. where they were guests
on November 10. The next day he
began to work on the proposition, he
SAID, first laying it before Meyer Liss
ner republican progressive leader of
southern California, and later before
committee of representative busi
ness men,
Although much opposition was ex-
peeted from the owners of the Los
Angeles Times, Steffens said that
Harry Chandler, the general manager,
was enthusiastic and subsequently be-
came the emissary between the bust [
ness mems committee and the dis
trict attorney.
The original agreement was drafted
III Mr. Lissner's office on NoVcmbe
~ and IL was hoped the district at
'vrhcN would assent to il. 1t proVid-
cd that James B. Mcnamara should
plead guilty and accept such punish {
lnent rs the court might direct. ex-
1ept hanging
To this, said the witness. the dis c
iilct attorneys office replied through
handler. demanding that both men y
Picdd guilty and that both make con
LESSONS.
kilograms had been received from :.
ne National Erectors' association and !,
'''ler business interests in the east, n
alu Mr.. Stetfens. protesting against .
my settlement that did not provide
or sending John ]. Mcnamara to the n
as well as his brother. "
On November -" continued Stef- "
ems 1t seemed clear to Mr. barrow il
nat a settlement could he arrived at G
'hleh would have J. B. Mcnamara
rom the galiows. He sat down and
'rote a telegram TO Samuel Gompers.
Il Atlanta. Ga. where the American al
eoefation of Labor was in conven- IL
'"h asking that one of two or three d.
i'h' whom he named. be sent here d'
or consultation" e,
Asked for the names given in the II
-lesram. the witness said they were v,