New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-16
SHADES QUERIES
ANGER OSBORNE
"Were You Not Known as
Tango Jimmy" Law
yer Inquiries
WITNESS TRIES
TO RUSH AT HIM
Outburst and Visit of Rat
to Courtroom Are the
Days Sensations

An indignant outburst from James
W. Osborne, after Benjamin Slade had
asked him il he were not a cabaret
frequenter, known in the bright lights
as Tango Jimmy" provided the pr'n-
cipsl sensation yesterday in the trial
Of Franklin D. Stafford in che United
States District Court.
Only less exciting was the appearance
later OF a big gray rat, which invaded
the Jury box and scampered furiously
over and under the jurors feet.
For a moment il seemed likely that
Mr. Osborne's indignation would dc
velop into q physical encounter Wit!
Mr.. Slade, but the combined efforts OF
Judge Learned Hand and William
Rand, jr., Special Assistant United
States District Attorney, halted Mr..
Osborne's attempt to start from the
stand in an effort 10 reach Mr.. Slade.
The outburst came after Mr., Slade
had questioned Mr.. Osborne for nearly
two hours.
Judge Interrupts
"Is it not fact, Mr.. Osborne the
LAWYER said, that during 1912 ard
1913 you visited, with women other
than your wife, the Martinique, Algon-
uuin, Forty-second Street Grill II,
Healy's. Shanley's and Reisenweber's
Don't answer thst!" cried Judge
Hand; 81 won't allow that question;
"Are you not drinking man. MI;
Osborne?" continued Mr.. Slade, an an d
didn't you visit those places w Win
women Of questionable character -,
Don't answer, Mr.. OSBORNE
-, A. pa WDoee the defence
wish to suggest that Rae Tanner was
3 woman Of questionable character"
"No. indeed" said Mr.. Slade.
Judge Hand ruled the question out,
and Mr.. Slsde continued:
Tsn't Il fact. Mr.. Osborne, that In
these places you are known as range
81 object" shouted Mr.. Rand.
"Tbat is a most improper question,
Mr.. Shade" said Judge Hand.
Mr.. Osborne appeared TO have heard
mother the objection nor the court s
ruling, for with eyes swapping he
started up. ~,
Rand.
Mr.. Osborne sank back, bat soon was
on his feet again, moving in the direc-
ton OF the attorney. Mr.. Rand again
ordered him 70 sit down.
Judge Hand then called fve-minute
recess.
Alibi Evidence Introduced
The government yesterday began to
introduce evidence TO establish an alibi
for Mr.. Osborne on October IS, 1914,
when Rae Tanner says that he regis
tered with her in the Hotel Kensingtont
Plainheld. n. ]. Matthew J. Smith, OF
Long Island City, formerly District At
torney of Queens County, testified that
on that day be was with Mr. Osborne
All afternoon at the Bar Association
This was corroborated by Henry Root
stern, a lawyer. who said that he saw
Mr.. Osborne there.
The gray rat appeared while Miss
Rose Helen Kaiser one OF the "0liver
Osborne Octet" was on the stand. At
almost the exact instant that Miss
Kaiser mentioned the name of Oliver
Osborne the rat skipped into the room.
"Ohl" she exclaimed, after Mr.. Rand
had announced its presence, apparent
~ undecided whether to scream or
faint She did neither.
The jurors, interested, began draw
ing up their feet and looking about.
Il think il just ran over my foot"
remarked Juror No. z, just before it
scampered away.