The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1917-03-15
M,InI'A!, TRIAL
OPENED Up

(ny Katherine Fl. Hodgins)


courtroom, there is taking place one
Of the most tragic and historic LEGAL
battles ever fought since labor be-
gan it's struggle for emancipation. It
is the case Of Tom Tracy, being tried
for murder in the first degree, as a
result Of the Everett massacre Of
Nov. 18th. lie is the first of eleven
e men, selected from the group of sew
= enty-four prisoners, to be tried in
turn on the same charge.
An almost perfect silence is main
tanned in the courtroom throughout
the proceedings, save for an occa-
sional fragment Of laughter which
the judge himself, only with diff
Guilty. refrains from joining. Mem
bors Of the I. w. W. are selected by
the Judge from day to day to aid
those in charge of the court room
a., TO seat people IS they enter, one
member being in charge of each row,
which seats about fifteen persons.
, There is seating room approximately
for one hundred and fifty persons.
Judge Ronald is on the whole,
man apart in personal appearance,
beng over six feet tall, dignified and
unusually kindly in manner.
The jury consists of six men and
SIX women. 1t is as representative
a group as may be expected, having
been selected from among that type
Of people who have no impressions,
no opinions or conclusions regarding
the case or the issues involved.
The prosecuting attorney Of Sno-
homish county, Mr.. Black, young, no
ticeably inexperienced, seems to be
entirely unconscious of the class-war
phase Of the case.
The other two attorneys for the
prosecution are Mr.. Cooley and Mr..
Vetch Mr.. Cooley, who is a proni-
nent Everett lawyer, is handicapped
in his presentation of the case to the
jury by the fact that he was a dep
uty and is in close sympathy with
the lumber interests of Snohomish
county.
Mr.. Veitch, of Los Angeles, rumor
ed to be the direct agent for the
: Merchants and Manufacturers Asso-
citation, seems to regard the case as
"a days work." and"does not appear
to take the same keen interest in the
case as shown by the defense.
Between Moore and Vandeveer.
principal attorneys for the defense,
it is difficult to decide which is the
more alert and aggressive. Moore,
a familiar figure in many historical
labor cases Of recent years, loses no
opportunity to emphasize and develop
any point which has bearing upon
he class war. He has a faculty for
bringing to the surface the class an
tagonisns that is the mark Of all the
witnesses thus far.
George Vandeveer, a prominent
Seattle attorney, is unusually aggres-
sive in cross examinations. In spite
Of the fact that he is laboring under
a terrific strain, due to his alleged
connection with the liquor investiga-
ton, to all appearances his mind is
riyeted upon the case in hand to the
, exclusion Of all things else.
, Mr.. Daley, of Everett, is connect
ed with the case for the defense, as
associate attorney.
There is also on the defense.
special attorney, employed jointly for
Harry Fienberg, one Of the accused
Industrial Workers, by Fienberg's
, relatives and the Wolkingmen's Cir
Gle, Jewish organization.
; Thomas Tracy, the prisoner, is
seated between attorneys, Moore and
Vandeveer. He seems to be intense
, y interested and misses no point in
the evidence. In appearance he is
atockily built, a trifIe above medium
height and about 33 years Of age.
His round, smooth shaven face is
placid, yet forceful. He has quiet
blue eyes, heavy black hair, and is
neatly dressed He betrays no emo
ton or nervousness. He is allowed
many ordinary privileges about the
courtroom This treatment is in
, sharp contrast to the rigid vindic-
tive surveillance frequently accorded
prisoners in cases Of a similar ma
ture.
The corridor leading to the court
room is in charge of members Of the
/ l. W. w. selected by the joint locals
Of Seatt3e-~and approved by judge
, Ronald. These men may be seen
= from 7.30 in the morning till the
E court adiouns for the night, main
tanning order by restraining the
eager crowd whose interest in the
case make them willing to stand in
line for long hours, awaiting their
turn to be admitted as vacancies are
made by individuals leaving the
court room.
These people are from all walks
Of life, from the itinerant workers