Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-01
MINISTERS GIVE
CHARACTER EVIDENCE
FOR STRIKE LEADER
Marion M, JackSon's Testi-
mOny Stopped by Court
When Witness Expressed
His Opinion About Strike

| Introduction of character wttnesSe:
in behalf of w. NJ. Pollard. street car
strike organizer. and the testimony OF
A. C. GIL, news editor of The Way
were among the features of "Wednesday
mornings session of Pollard's trial be-
fore Jadge Ben Fl. Hill in Fulton SUI
perior court on a felony charge of Cir
culating an incendiary pamphlet in con-
nection with the strike.
Gilrs testimony was featured by his
admission. under Attorney Ben Conyers
cross-examination, that he played set
back for a 25-cent limit with Pollard
before the strike was called" and his
further admission that he had felt
something in Pollard's pocket, since the
strike was called, which felt to him like
gun.
DR.. c. B. Wilmer, rector of St. Luke's
Episcopal church, and DIR. Dunbar II
OGDEN, pastor of Central Presbyterian
cuIrch, were among the character wit
nesses put up by the defense.
Another feature of the morning ses-
sion was the testimony of w. c. Strad-
lev, a self-professed strike sympathizer
and business partner of c. w. Hatcher
who is a member of the jury.
Another feature of the trial was the
testimony of Marion NJ. Jackson, editor
of The Way, whose testimony was Gu!
short by Judge Hill because Mr.. Jack
son in answering questions propounded
/ 20 him took occasion to express number
of his personal views about the strike
Judge Hill adjourned the trial at $3.50
o'clock Wednesday afternoon, to recon-
vene at 9 o'clock Friday morning. The
jury was allowed to go to their homes.
after first being admonished by the
court TO avoid all discussions of the
case, or newspaper accounts.
Judge Hill had suggested. earlier IN
the day, that the trial run until 5
o'clock Wednesday afternoon, but coun-
| sci for defense asked that the court
adjourn at 2:3O Wednesday. Judge Hill
questioned the jury as to whether they
| cared to continue Thanksgiving day
and a number of them suggested that
Thursday be observed as a holiday.
CHARACTER WITNESSES.
DR.. Ogden declared that he had talk
ed with Pollard and other strike leaders
and had found no desire for lawless-
ness on their part. He was satisfied
| he said, that Pollard was against any
acts of violence. On cross-eXamination
by Attorney Conyers. however. DIR. og-
den admitted that he considered the
| circular alleged to have been sent out
by Pollard most offensive and said zoe
that he was not in favor of the practice
employed by certain strike sympathiz-
ers in pulling employees from cars.
DR.. Wilmer, whose testimony was
along the same lines as that of DR.. Og-
den, said that he had been with the
defendant but twice, but from that OBJ
servation would state that he believed
his character good. He said that ne
was under the impression that Pollard
I would do all within the law TO win out
The witness said that he had never
heard Pollard advocate violence, but had
seen things in the papers attributed to
both sides that might cause trouble.
}. l.. CARVER ON STAND.
Following the testimony OF DR.. VIII
mer, the defense put up j. l.. Carver
who was general secretary and treasurer
Jf the local union of street car con-
ductors and mo,ormen, organized by Pol
ard. up to November IL.
Carver testified that he had charg'
Of all funds and other books and rec
ords of the union. and that his desk
nad been rified and his nome also ritied
Attorney Conyers asked Carver abOu
a voucher for SI450 which was giver
20 J. A. Hollis to purchase dynamite
according to the testimony of witness
or tho prosecution who testified Tues
day. Carver replied that the voucher
was not given to Hollis to buy dyna'
mite, but for the purpose OF houSenolt
relief among strikers.
Attorney Conyers then asked Carver
a series OF questions about other vouch
lers and other features of his books anC
records. He asked Carver if II. o. Teat
as chairman of the grievance commit
ee. approved all vouchers. Carver re.
piled that there was no such thing as
a grievance committee, but that there
was a relief committee. of which Tea
was chairman, and that Teat approved
vouchers in this capacity.
CARVER Is GRILLED.
Further grilling Carver, Attorney Con
lyers asked him why eight vouchers giIer
to ]. A. Hollis, aggregating $50, were
the only vouchers, out of total eXpendi
lures approximating $4,000, that did no
temize the purpose for which the none!
was to be expended.
To this question Carver did not at
empt an explanation, simply stating
hat he did not know why.
Attorney Conyers then asked Carve
| Why the funds of the electrical workers
Union, OF which he also acted as treas
, | Irer were kept in a bank and paid on
IN checks. while the funds of the con
uctOrs' and motormen's union were KEEP
n his pocket, and paid out on vouchers
Carver did not attempt to explain, say
ng he did not know why.
Attorney Conyers asked Carver if h
paid out any money of which no recor
was kept.
Carver replied that there was som
money paid out for taxicabs to haul Pol
ard to church meetings and communit.
meetings.
This concluded Carver's testimony, an
solicitor Williams asked that his books
records, vouchesr, ETC., which had bee
brought into court by the defense, b
impOunded." which means for the cler
IF the court to lock them up. Attorne,
Key objected, but Judge Hill sustaine
he solicitor. although he directed tina
ither side should have free access t
hem.
A. c. GILL ON STAND.
The next witness called by the de
ense was A. c. Gill. news editor OF Tn
Way" which is Marion NJ. Jackson
well known weekly paper.
!. on direct examination. Gill describes
! lac citizens meeting held in the cham
ger of commerce on Monday followini
. he Saturday when the strike was call
, cd. He mentioned. among others, tn
speeches made by Preston 5. Arkwright
president Of the Georgia Railway am
"a Tower company; Forrest Adair, John L
4 Iurphy, Colonel Frederic ]. Paxon. Col
y Onel W. l.. Peel a r. Coles and others
Mr.. Adair advocated putting Polar
behind the bars" said Gill. MIR. Muir
pa, ny Endorsed his sentiments. Mr.. Muir
hw~