Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-03-15
GOES ON STAND
IN OWN BEHALF
Mrs. N. A. Hirsch Testifies in
BIackmaiI Case-Court-
room Is Cleared.

ATLANTA, Ga, March 15--Mrs. Mar
saret A. Hirsch. charged with attempt
ed bIackmaiI of Mayor Asa G. Gambler
out of $500 900, took the witness stand
in her own behalf this morning. Before
starting her statement the courtroom
vas cleared of spectators, at her re-
quest. Newspaper representatives were
excluded.
The state rested its case late yester-
day. after which court was adjourned
overnight at the request of counsel LOT
the defense. The testimony of the state
witnesses yesterday was iarsey fepe pei,
ton of that given when Cook was con-
yicted and sentenced to serve Two
years at hard labor and pay nne Oh
$1,000
Before Mrs Hirsch was placed on Inc
stand the defense was permitted 10
make statement as to what they eX-
,e,;ed 10 prove. Attorney J. X. Bed-
good declared they expected to prove
that no conspiracy OF any sort was lalu
between Mrs HirSch and Cook, but on
the contrary the woman was made tne
victim of threats by Cook to reveal TO
her husband the details of what he saw
in Mayor Gamblers office. He SAID they
expected to prove Mr. Gambler was
strongly attracted to Mrs. HirSch and
used his wealth and prominence to in
duce and persuade her to come to his
office and submit to his advances
He said they expected to prove that
when Cook Unexpectedly arrived at Mayor
Gamblers office and caught Mrs Hirsch
and Mayor Gambler in a compromising re-
lation Mayor Gambler walked with MIS-
HirSch to the elevator after Cook had LETT
and requested her to call him on the tele-
phone in few minutes, and when she
did call Forrest Adair was put on the wire
He said they expected to prove that MIR.
Adair induced her to bring up the sub
jet Of money and induced her to name
stipulated sum. and that she named this
sum as a consideration which she felt was
:, t.ss So foo S1,ay che
to be forced to leave the city. He said
they expected to prove that MIR. Adalr
first attempted to persuade her to accept
$3.50 month.
At this point Mrs Hirsch began to cry,
and as Attorney Badgood elaborated his
statements she sobbed aloud
When Mrs. Hirsch took the stand she
was pale. nervous and red from crying.
Mrs Hirsch, you win make your
statement in your own words, without
being questioned" said Judge Hill.
Looking up at the judge, Mrs. Hirsch
asked:
all these people,"
DO you wish to have the courtroom
cleared?' asked the judge.
Yes: ! would very much prefer it,
Thereupon Judge Hill ordered the
courtroom cleared of all spectators.
The crowd filed out, with extreme dis
appointment written on their faces.
Mrs HirSch asked Judge Hill if he
w"-~I not also exclude the representa-
IT,; of the press.
The ladies and gentlemen of the
fourth estate will please retire." said
Judge Hill And their departure was
marked by similar signs of disappoint-
ment
Mrs Hirsch ended her statement
SHORTY after noon. her stay on the
stano, 1t was understood, being pro-
longed by constant weeping and sob
bling
Judge Hill ordered a recess until 1
O'Clock and attorneys for the defense
announced they would confer during
the luncheon period as to putting on
additional witnesses