Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-01-15
Sending of Literature to Prospective
Jurors Worst Kind of Contempt,
He Says in Court.
PROSECUTION DECIDES TO
LET MEN SEE FRIENDS
Complete changs of Policy Comes After
Months of Criticism That Men
Are Being Wronged
UNITED PRESS LEASED WIRE. ]

Marysville, Cal. Jan. 15.-Hot de-
nunciation by Superior Judge E. P,
Mcdaniel Of alleged methods employed
by sympathizers of the defendants to
influence public opinion, a reply in
kind by Attorney R. NJ. Royce against
the prosecution, with promise Of dras-
tic action to follow, and announcement
by the prosecution that it would change
its policy regarding communications be
tween the imprisoned men and friends
and witnesses, yesterday suddenly lifted
the Wheatland hopfields riot trial
from the sober routine of jury getting
to a much more sensational level.
These statements were made in open
court after the five sworn jurymen and
the new venire of talesmen had been or
dered from the court room.
Criticised Many Months.
The change of the prosecutions at
titude came after months of bitter crit
icism by friends and attorneys of the
indicted hOppickers tnat they had been
held practically incommunicado.
Ford, Suhr, Bagan and Beck, the men
on trial, charged with the murder of
District Attorney E. T. MAXWELL in the
Wheatland riot, were permitted to re.
main in the court room.
Hereafter the bars are down." said
Attorney W. H. Carlin, associated with
the prosecution as representative Of the
attorney generals office. "These
prisoners may hereafter see friends,
newspapers and witnesses at the dis.
erection of the sheriff" "
The sheriff had already stated that
in excluding persons from the prison
he was being guided solely by orders
of District Attorney E. B. StanwOod
This announcement was followed by
statements from District Attorney Stan
wood, Attorney Carlin, Attorney R. M
Royce of the defense and Judge Nc
Daniel, before whom the cases are be-
ing tried.
Contempt Alleged.
Judge Mcdaniel sharply criticised
the methods of the International De
tense League in sending out literature
to prospective jurors characterizing il
as the grossest example Of contempt
within his experience. He asserted
that a rigid investigation is being made
to fix the responsibility and that dras
tic action would be taken later on wher
such a course would not endanger the
defense by creating any prejudice
against the accused men and theiI
sympathizers. He also had just re
ceived letter, threatening in its ma
ture from a person purporting to be
friend of one of the defendants.
Could Jail Them.
81 could issue citation now agains
the person for contempt of court ant
ave him jailed, but do not care t.
do so at present" said the judge
''He may merely be seeking notoriet,
or free lodging in the county jail 81
far as this court is concerned, the ricl
are not allowed to escape and the poo
alone prosecuted as the writer of thi
letter insinuates,
81 want to say further that so ia
as I personally know, the constitutions
rights Of these defendants have no
been violated nor any brutality heape
upon them. / believe such charge
are unfounded.
".This leaflet circulated by the II
ternational Defense League fairl
bristles with absolute untruths. Wht
ever sent it out is guilty of the gross
est contempt, and action will be take
accordingly"
Defense Greatly Angered.
Attorney r. NJ, Royce, for the d.
Tense, issued this statements
81 wish also to state that everyor
has been excluded from the Jail. Undt