The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-10-17
Alderman, Testifying in Own De-
Tense, Tells of Early Struggles
For Education and Ad-
vancement
HOMER WARREN SAYS HE
OBTAINED VOTE PROMISE
Declares "Honest Tom" Favored
Wabash Petitions Before
Brennan Came

Aid. Thomas E. Gilman, defendant
n the now famous bribery case. took
he witness stand In his own behalf.
friday morning. Calmly and In q
oice that was both harsh and dis
met. the former council boss answer
fd the questions put to him by his at
orney, bearing on HIS early life and
political activities. II was with APP
parent pride that tee indicted alder
nan recounted mis- struggle as boy
o get an education, his frequent pro
notions in railroad yards, his career
Us village politiciau, and lastly his
record as member of the common
council OF Detroit up to the time he
was accused OF accepting q $1,000
Pribe for his vote on the Wabash pc
itions
Only once, when Gilman was tell
ng OF brief attendance during the
winter months in a little one-room-
ID school out In the woods" did the
klderman's lips CULVER. His voice
bave out and the tears welled In his
Dyes. He stopped moment to wipe
bis eyes with his handkerchief and to
regain his composure. Then he went
pm with his narration, taking care to
make his answers full and putting
bathos into the little word-pictures
hat he frequently painted with the
bromptings Of his council, James Nc
Saniara
A hush fell on .he crowd In the
eourt room when Gilman was called
o the stand. The lons-expected state
ment from the alderman promises TO
be the most interesting event of the
edious trial. The impression Gilman
makes on the jury will largely de-
ermine whether he will walk out OF
he court room a free and much-ma.
igned man or whether he will GO
well, the other way.
.Tom" Gilman Is both an actor
and an orator In q rough, homeiy
way. He Is prepared TO make great
Effort on the witness stand.
The bulky form Of the alderman
was CARRIED In neat blue suit. His
heavy face was flushed with excite
ment as he took the witness chair,
( was noticeable that Glinnan's hal.
and closely cropped mustache have
grown whittier under the strain TO
which The has been subjected for
wG.years. He held the close atten.
Hon OF the Jurors In his preliminary
btatement.
Judge Phelan allowed the defense
10 place nine character witnesses on
The stand. A number OF others were
bn hand, Friday morning, willing 10
estify to the good character and
keneral reputation OF the indicted al.
Herman. Harry j. Dingeman, presi.
bent OF the common council, was one
bf the subpenaed witnesses that did
hot get chance to 20 on the stand.
William Mueller. county auditor, and
Charles A. Nichols, former city clerk,
were also subpenaed, but not called.
Homer Warren, former police COM
missioner and postmaster, said no
had known Gilman for several years.
He said that Gilman accompanied
members or the Board OF Commerce
bn n trip to Pittsburgh. In May, -sl2,
ace officials OF the Pennsylvania
railroad, with reference to obtaining
additional freight facilities Tor De-
troit
On that trip. Mr.. Warren said, he
had long talk with Gilman ABOUT
the wabash petitions.
The prosecutor made numerous OBJ
,ections to McNamara's questions. but
the court overruled them.
I'VE talked about getting the
Peunsylvania railroad here, and about
The foolishness Of warfare against the
railroads" said Mr.. Warren. I'm that
Connection Mr.. Gilman promised me
he would vote for the petition. This
promise was reiterated over the teie-
phone later"
Mr.. warren said that Glinnan's
Reputation for honesty, was good. IN
sofar as he knew. The prosecutor
ana not cross-examine Mr.. Warren.
NAY c. Koch. city treasurer, was
tha NEXT witness called. He said he
was personally acquainted with Aid.
|Clinnan. Frazer objected to the de-
Tense swearing more than i've char
|acter witnesses. ak having been
sworn before Koch was called.
~ have always thought that II was
ortional with the court as to how
rnsrv character witnesses would be
allowed. said John p. Scallon, VINO
was examining the witness for the
daseuse. The court allowed Koch TO
ha examined, adding that the court
Ala not want to deprive the defen-
dant of any rights.
GAS far as ! know, 0linnan's gem
eral reputation was good. outside OF
What has been said In newspapers In
tha last two years." said Koch.
previous to his arrest, Koch stated,
Humans general reputation vas
GOOD, according TO ell the reports ne
.There Is always gossip about al
dermen In the city hail. added the
re did not know any Of the Jurors,
ana was excused after explaining TO
the prosecutor that by reputation
he meant what other people said
| about the defendant.
Mcnamara then asked the court for,
rermIssion to swear additional char
scfer witnesses. and the court asked
sor authorities on the rule as to the
rumber to be sworn.
~ think n rests with the court 70
a.~1xe \ eaid McNamaro.
~ Il IL not . statute. Il must b
: 80. and We viii 6nd ont what the
~ AZ observed the CONT. Droooed
r. 8 Iook ~ Cbe point q question.