The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1913-11-19
Prosecuting Attorney John F. Murphy Writes
Up Play for Star; Draws Lessons for Seattle
From Margaret Illington's Drama at Moore

mouy. and that absolute denial. no
conviction uf felony could be had
\ jury would only convict II the
chain OF circumstances on the
whole tended 20 establish guilt
In Mary Turner's case there were
five years OF faithful neryico IN the
store TO take into consideration.
aud that would raise reasonable
doubt. | dare say. in tho minds ~
the average luryman. and would
add weight 10 theory OF defense
that the stolen goods had been
placed In Miss Turner's locker "a
throw Off suspicion Of the guilty
party
"Railroadine" Prisoners Fiction
Thus. n 10 seen, within the
Law from tho start aims yigor.
GUS blow at the administration OF
the law. which the facts do not
really Justify The law is not All
exact science. It IN generally ad.
mittod. II ~ not perfect
But 'rallroaflug" people To prison
ia fiction. though II IL more than
possible that the proprietor OF tho
department store. such AS Mr.
Glider In the play. would be
anxious 10 make an example OF a
girl whom he considers guilty OF
thcfi That ia. ! can understand
how continued and repeated thefts
by shop littcrn and employees might
bring a man into that frame Of
mind
And here the play does n real
service. for u brings up tho
question Of minimum wages In
vivid, striking, telling man
ner. and Il 10 my opinion that.
az the play suggests, more
money and better conditions for
the working girls would be
more productive OF good than
making esamples."
Law Getting EN-. Ne Says
Within tho Law" II intended "a
show up the wcatnesHea 81 the Law
and 20 exhibit, the lnopholca by
which shrcwd crooks may get away
with shady transactions. and not
only escape punishment. but laugh
NJ tho authorities
II opens up a big field Of discus
sion. and undoubtedly there are
such loopholcs.
There have been cases where men
hAyo admitted fleeing" others. but
contcnded they were within the
law. But the Law is reaching on,
FOR them morc and more every day
In the play Mary Turner. returns
from prison after three years. and
is unable 10 ohialn honest employ
meni. She adopts n career Of
crime. but safeguards her opera
tlOna by remaining just inside the
border line. within tho law
poesnt Work In Real Life
Tho play reveals but one plhuKl
bic phase OF this sort OF law pro
tected criminal operation. That
Is breach OF promise suit AGAINST
a person % high standing. which Ia
made possible because such a suil
may be started without any founda
ton
II Ia n hlackmRii game that de,
Ponds for success upon tho deair.
OF tho party % the second part "a
avoid publicity. hut the game has
been broken up again and again In
real life
Another attack IL made upon the
administration % law through the
stool pigeon"
Robblre Out Of the Question
English Eddie r. employed b.
Inspector Burke 20 deliberately lure
Joe 20 rob elders house. and. OF
some preteXt. To- get Mary Turner
who IL opposed 10 overt infractiof
OF tho law. into the house. so thai
she. too. might be charged as ar
accomplicc In the robbery.
There are certain men in the com
munliy with n knowledge OF thievs,
and their operations who arc o
great value 10 tho police In appre
bending those who have committed
crimes. but the actual planning o
n crime by the police. OF course. I,
out OF the question.
I Inspector Burha's atternp, Il
l elicit Information IL interesting. Il
In fair and Just 10 talk 10 the pris
oncrs and put questions 10 them.
Wouldn't Tolerate LYING
But lying TO prisoners TO ohtali
their confessions IN somethfns
which. In these days. not only doe,
not exist. but would not DO toier
ated.
| Tho coprcaaIon oh,,,ros ,-o,