The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1916-12-28
IRON
RANGE MURDER
CASE DROPPED
State Surrenders On Murder Charges
Against Mesaba Defendants Com
plete Collapse of Conspiracy
Charge and Doctrine
BENEFIT TO UNION LABOR
Scarlet, Schmidt, and Tresca Free!
Special Correspondence.

In open Court before Judge Cant at
Duluth last Friday the 18th, q settle
ment proposed by the state and pro
viously ratified by all Tie defendant
prisoners and acknowledged by thclA
as the best that could probably 80
obtained even after long and expensive
trials, the state made complete sur-
render on murder charges against oil
eight defendants; releasing Tresca,
Scarlet, Schmidt, Mrs. Malta Mas
onovich and John Orlandrich; substi-
tuting a charge OF msnslaughter
against Masonovich, Cernogorvich and
Nickich to which these three pleaded
guilty.
Readers will understand that che
defendants themselves, knowing con-
ditions and familiar with he situa-
ton as regards the possibility Of 2
less fortunate outcome IN case Of trial,
were the ones best fitted TO decide
whether any proposal Of settlement
affecting them should be considered.
| This was done and the prisoners we're
! the adjudicators Of their own cases
tin ofar as the acceptance or rejection
RI any plan of settlement was involv-
! cd.
On Friday the eighth, the states
attorney in talk over various mat
! tors animated to the defense counsel
that perhaps a possible disposition
could be arranged as might be NUT
ually agreeable and satisfactory.
Counsel for both sides agreed that
the outcome of the trials vas uncer-
iail "a considering the heavy ex-
pen.c ...endant, settlement might
Ibu a!yantageou Defense counsel
hoWevei, stated that no .e.tiement re-
strictin8 activities Of the union or in
fringing upon the principals ontend-
ed for, could be thooGh. Ct. Also
that no action would be possible I'M
less firstly, the matter be approved
by the Defense Committee at irgin-
ia; and secondly, the consent OF the
trial judge be obtained 1'he next
day Mr.. Greene, states 40. ne. ,ur-
ried to Virginia to consult wit the
trial judge. Having obtained e &c
ton from the judge, Greene conn mi
Gated on Monday with The dc e
counsel and they in turn sunni cuoI
The Defense Committee to Duluth fot
conference.
After considering it the commit.ee
agreed that it was important eno8 il
10 warrant the plan being TUNED -
to all the defendants in jail for cen
9ration. 1t being impossible to
l,.2in satisfactory interviews in the
"a. = cells at the jail, it was arranged
! ,-- II prisoners to be brought to he
c,uIJnouse and interviewed in the
open jury room. No one was present
except the prisoners, their 9ttolncs
and The Defense Committec. The me-
ter was fully discussed with Trasc4.
Scalett and Schmidt and il was re-
oaented TO them as merely submitted
to them by counsel and The commit 3
rs a matter Of duty and gijilol- a.
commentator one va. o. the o>>e...
at if they desired, counsel would Q.
Fort negotiations Of and proceed with
the trial. After calcful inquiry he
three organizers stated that Inc coa--
tesy and Importance Of The ma,5or
suggested submission of the en-;
plan to the other defendant, .,.-..
ovich, Cernogorovich, Niclich aa c.
andich for their sole decision ~c %
that action should finally be ,a.aa.
Speaking to these Ioae i. 1a.7,1
:lzich, Gilday said, CHOW boya. ,0tI;5
Il matter in which you have tbs e,s-
Il c say, nothing has been &ec5}g3
uUaa, nothing will be without y0N.
dough consent and approval; II YOU
approve we will treat with The other
side and if Motive will go to trial"
After the details had been given 10
them, they with one accord shouted
their approval; Phillip Masonovich
saying, be glad to take three times
one year if these other men"-point-
ing to I'resca, Schmidt and Scarlet
could he free, because they can do
more good than we can. The union
provides for my family, so what do l
, care. I. can serve my short sentence
standing. on my. head" .....
Cllandich, when told he would be
rec, offered to take Phillips term
and leaning it could not be done in
sisted he be imprisoned with the
others. The lest persuaded him at
!ast, to go-out and look after the Mas
troyich family until Phillip be reIea5-
then-whle all present, already
lgeply moved By the spirit Of the SOL
i'9rity shown-atrove yainly to con
III their emotions; @ nogoryich and
&ieh each begged ,hat they be al
ed to aa8ala the s,a-cl OF Phil
o. @nd have it added 10. - own so
lip might go f.ea apo5-
igrn4t-r- --