New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-27
Spectators at First Round Of
Legal Duel Between For
mer Prosecutor and Mar
tin w. Littleton, at SHADES
Trial, Find Sensations Are
Few.

In the presence Of his wife and the
diminutive Rae Tanner, the girl who
sued him for $4,000 for breach OF
promise, James w. Osborne endured
the first round Of REORGANIZATION
yesterday at the trial Of David and
Maxwell Slade, formerly counsel for
Miss Tanner, charged with conspiracy
in relation to her discarded suit against
the criminal lawyer. There were dra-
matte possibilities in the situation.
Martin w. Littleton, as counsel for
the defendants, who has gained prom
inence as an able and resourceful de-
fender in many big criminal cases,
notably the last trial of Harry X.
Thaw, had the witness in hand. .1r.
Osborne, with a record as relentless
prosecutor in many famous criminal
trials, suavely confronted his antago-
mist and waited for his shrapnel.
Everybody expected an interesting con-
fict
But the preliminary round proved
tame. There was no clinching or close
in fighting. Both of these shrewd law
yers appeared TO be sparring for time
and a good opening. 1t is expected the
fur will fly at the next session of
court tomorrow.
Mrs. Osborne Interested.
Judge Gordon Russell's court in the
Federal Building was crowded with
spectators and witnesses before the
proceedings began. Mrs. Osborne ar
rived Just after her husband had been
recalled to the witness stand. Assist
ant United States Attorney Wood prac-
tically finished the direct examination
of his witness on the day before. Mrs.
Osborne was accompanied by her faith
er, former Supreme Court Justice Au
gustus Van Wyck. She sat inside the
rail and followed the proceedings in
tently.
Her piercing dark eyes flashed an
grily when Mr.. Littleton read the al
legations of the Tanner girl in the
complaint against Mr.. Osborne. Hus-
band and wife exchanged sympathetic
sarcastic smiles. Little Miss Tanner
sat huddled between her two sisters
on a bench in the rear of the court
room. Only her face was visible
across the room. She looked tired and
worn. Mrs. Osborne wore a new blue
silk gown with a deep fluffy chiffon
ruff1e at her neck, and a snug blue
straw hat topped by a high waving
black bow. Her whole attitude was
one of cheerfulness and confidence.
Mr.. Osborne was the only witness
at the halliday session. Mr.. Wood
first asked him few questions about
the telephone call from David Slsde
prior to the bringing of the breach Of
promise suit After informing him
that the Tanner girl demanded he
marry her, the witness said Slade told
him she asserted she first met him
on the street.
Marry a girl I picked up on the
street ?" the witness said he exclaimed.
what nonsense!"
Duellists Smile.
Mr.. Wood turned the witness over
to Mr. Littleton for cross-examina-
ton. The two lawyers smiled at each
other. Mr.. Littleton began his exami-
nation smoothly and politely. Mr.. Os-
borne seemed eager to answer the
questions fully. His elaboration was
interrupted by counsel at times it'll /
the remark that THAT is not part of
the examination at this time"
Counsel for the defence had the wit /
ness fix all the dates of receiving let