Evening star., 1915-06-25
Counsel Seeks Appointment of
Commission to Question Dr..
Charles w. Eliot.
COURTROOM APPEARS
LIKE OLD-TIME REUNION
Witnesses From Various Parts of
New England Wait to Be Called.
Anniversary Of Murder.

NEW YORK, June 25.-Interest In
the proceedings to ascertain whether
Harry X. Thaw is now sane or insane
was divided today between the taking
of evidence in court here and the ap-
plicatfon by counsel for the state for
the appointment of a commission to
learn from DR.. Charles W. Eliot, pres
ident emeritus of Harvard, why Thaw
left that institution in 1892 without
completing his course. Deputy Attor-
ney General Frank K. Cook. who yes
terday asked Justice Hendrick to ap-
point the commission. expected his ap-
plication would be granted today. Why
Thaw left Harvard never has been
brought out in any Of his former at
tempts to regain freedom, although he
was questioned about it at one of the
previous hearings.
Mr. Cook said he was informed that
Thaw was called to the Office of the
president of Harvard at noon and told
to leave the university by o'clock that
day. Thaw denied this in a statement.
Shows Hereditary Insanity, He Says.
The deputy attorney general said he
would endeavor to read to the jury the
testimony given by Thaw's mother.
Mrs. Mary Copley Thaw, at the second
murder trial. to which Mr.. Cook re-
ferred in his opening address as the
most complete history Of hereditary in
sanity presented in court for twenty
years.
The courtroom today before the days
proceedings started resembled the scene
of an old-time reunion. Witnesses from
various parts of New England, waiting
to be called in Thaw's behalf, exchanged
greetings and many brought their wives
with them. Mrs. Thaw. Harry's mother,
shook hands with some Of them and took
her seat in the center Of such a group.
Today Anniversary Of Murder.
Today is the ninth anniversary of the
murder of Stanford White on the roof of
Madison Square Garden, for which Thaw
was acquitted on the grounds of insanity
after one Of the most elaborate insanity
defenses ever presented in the history of
the state
From that day to the present he has
adopted almost every means known in
law to obtain his freedom. Deputy At
torney General Cook in outlining the
states case to newspaper men today
said that in addition to tracing the life
of Thaw the state would also bring to
light all the facts in the life history
of Evelyn Nesbit.
Before calling witnesses the states
attorney read to the jury testimony
from the record Of one of the previous
proceedings bearing upon Thaw's san
ity. This was the cross-examination OF
DR.. William White. an alienist, the
record Of whose direct examination.
which was in favor Of Thaw. was put
In evidence yesterday.
Found Thaw Rational.
nr Noa1 z C,,.,,~xA "a
NJ H.. who lived next door to Thaw in
that city, was the first witness today
He said he had seen much of Thaw and
found him rational. One of the things
he had discussed with him was corporal
punishment for children. he said. and
he thought that Thaw had intelligent
ideas on the subject.
II came here" said Dr. Guillett. "to
prove that we in New Hampshire think
Thaw sane"
Walter NJ. Lang. a real estate agent
opinion. He said he had been to two
foot ball games with Thaw and had
been automobiling with him.
Impressed With Thaw's knowledge.
Lang was followed by his wife. who
said she had been impressed by Thaw's
wonderful knowledge Of our city"
Eugene p. Mute. Thaw's federal GUS
todian in New Hampshire, and Mai.
Robert P. Johnston. who said he met
Thaw at various social occasions, tes-
tined as to their entire belief in Thaw's
sanity.
Announcement was made by Mr.
Cook Just before recess that the state
proposed to stage in the courtroom
the moving pictures which Thaw posed
for during his sojourn in Canada and