Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-05-06
ENDORSEMENT OF "1IRTH OF. MA.
TIoN's TO END BEFORE CASE
r> IS CONCLUDED.
TWO HUNDRED MEN TO
Er. TESTIFY FOR DEFENSE
Attorneys For Showmen Call For Vol
unteer Witnesses and 5000 Sign
Cards Offering Services-Witnesses
n For Prosecution Testify to Prejudicial
Character Of Film.

Des Moines, May 6-Three thousand
witnesses, including a majority of the
business men of Des Moines have
signed cards expressing a Willingness
to testify for the defense in The Birth
of Nation" trial In municipal court
so Ebert & Getchell say. 1t is SAID
over 200 will be called by the Aim at
torneys, Not even the most venture
some attorneys will hazard a guess Us
to when the case will be over.
When adjournment was taken yes
terday in the case OF the city against
Harold Cavanaugh, Berchel theater
manager nine Witnesses had testiHed
for the prosecution. Three more VII!
be called by city attorneys. Then me
defense Will mobilize its army.
Sax witnesses testified during the
first day of The trial. With this as
a basis for figuring the number OF
days to be consumed IN the hearing.
the answer is thirty three. Allowing
two days for ar gumenls and probably
another for the court TO prepare an
opinion. thirty SIX trial days Will have
elapsed before a decision IS rendered
Long Trial Ahead.
In a week. Thirty-six divided by i've
and a half is six and six elevenths
Six and six-eleyeuths weeks from %
day is approximately torty-ave days
hence, or about June l9.
The alm is scheduled for g thirty
days exhibition, to be concluded Oh
or about June :.
Therefore. nineteen days after the
pilotoplay is gone il will De known
probably-wneth her i may bs exhibited
here under ordinances Of the munlci-
patty.
The star witness thus FAR fo- the
prosecution was Ira ". Anderson, al
torney and civil war veteran.
Mr.. Anderson believed the play 10 be
immoral IN al least one scene.
He objected TO the look in the eyes
of Stoneman as the latter in a scene
OF the play con-ersed with q nulatto
woman
How can you tel! whether the look
in the eyes was immoral" inquired
Attorney Ralph Read for the defense.
We'll. when you've lived IN Iowa for
sixty three years you can pretty near
tell what a look in the eyes means"
said the witness
Anderson Was Aroused.
The witness said that the photoplay
re-aroused In him thoughts he hadn't
experienced in ffty years. After view
ing the play he would not hire a negro
to work In his house, he said. He be-
lieved the play would produce senti-
ment that would drive the colored man
from the land
when I saw the negro Gus scene
felt as tho I would have used my old
Winchester II had 1t with me-" wit
ness said,
He heard a stranger sitting next to
him during the performance remark:
II wish I had my rifle"
Anderson did not believe, however,
there was much danger during the To-
cal exhibition SO long as prices rang
ing from so cents to $3.50 were
charged.
Attended by Request.
IF that play were shown to a ten
cent picture show audience the first
colored man that happened down the
aisle during the performance would
be mobbed" witness said
The witness viewed the exhibition
a. the request Of S. Joe Brown, col
ored attorney, he said
Attorney George Wambach, called by
the prosecution also believed the photo
play was likely to arouse sentiment
against and antipathy toward the ne
gro A. c. Gustafson was the other
witness to testify at the morning ses-
sion for the city. His ticket for the
play was purchased by the prosecution.
he said. He believed the play was like
~ to create race prejudice