The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-03-16
Testimony Given Behind Closed
Doors Appears in Purported
Verbatim Transcript.
W0MAN'S STORY IN FULL
More Witnesses Are Called by
Both Sides.
Fight in Case of Attempted
Verbal Blackmail of Mayor
Candler Resumed.

CduQlcT nGSuucu.
Atlanta, Ga, March TO- Evidence
in tho case of Mrs. Margaret A. Hirseh
on trial for attempted blaokmail Of
Asa G. Gambler, millionaire mayor OF
Atlanta, was completed shortly before
noon today, and arguments Of counsel
Immediately begun. One hour and a
half was allotted to each side. A ver-
dict was expected late this afternoon.
Frequent tits between Judge Rich
ard B. Russell, chief counsel for the
defense, and Attorney Reuben Arnold.
assisting the prosecution, marked the
third day of the trial. Twice the
clashes became so heated that Judge
Benjamin Hill fined both participants
Mrs Hirsch also showed the strain or
the long sessions. At one time she
broke down completely, crying and
talking aloud.
Sons OF Mayor on Stand.
Asa G. Gambler, Jr., and William
Gambler sons of the mayor, were the
principal witnesses presented by the
state in rebuttal. The former was
present at some of the conferences be-.
tween Forrest Adair and Mrs. Hirsch,
he testified, and swore the defendant
was the one to suggest money pay
ment, naming 100000. She also de-
manded the payment of her husbands
debts, he said, figuring them up on the
margin of a newspaper as approXi-
mately $4,000.
William Gambler youngest son of
he MrC clt Cd
him several times over the telephone
to come to see her, saying her hus-
band was out of town great deal.
He said Mrs. Hirsch was aware of the
fact that he was a married man.
Atlanta, Ga, March 16.-The trial OF
Mrs. Margaret A. Hirsch, accused in |
an indictment Of attempted verbal !
bIackmaiI Of Asa G. Gambler, mayor Of /
Atlanta, out Of $500,000. was resumed |
in superior court here today. Indica-
tions were that the case would be given
to the jury before night.
The defense after it had rested it's
case yesterday afternoon, announced !
that 1t would probably summon several
more witnesses in rebuttal. Attorney
Reuben Arnold, for the prosecution,
said the state would call ad-
ditional witnesses. The state. which
rested it's case on Thursday, had re-
called Mayor Gambler and another wit
ness in rebuttal yesterday when court
adjourned.
The hearing before Judge Ben Hill, !
before whom Mrs. Hirsch is being
tried, on a motion of J. w. Cook, al
legged accomplice of the defendant, for
a new trial. was set for today. Cook,
hn ipiptlV indicted with Mrs | ,
Hirsch, was convicted recently and |
sentenced to serve a year and day
at hard labor and to pay fine Of |
81, 900. 4
Appearance of Mrs. Hirsch and Cook !
On the stand were the outstanding fea- ]
ures at the trial yesterday. At her t
own request, Mrs. Hirsch testified be- 3
lind closed doors.
Cook on the stand yesterday sHore I
ne did not have any communication '
With Mrs. Hirsch, after her visit to the J
mayors office, until he and the de- &
endant were arrested. J
Verbatim Transcript Issued. $
A verbatim transcript of what pur- d
,orted to be the testimony given be-
lind closed doors by Mrs. Margaret A.
Iirsch yesterday, was made public to- II
lay. The alleged transcript describes n
n detail the circumstances leading up n
o Mrs. Hirschs acquaintance with G
Iayor Gambler; of her visits 20 his Of .
Ice and of their alleged improper re- )
atoms in Mr.. Gamblers private busi- n
ess office on Feb. 6. 1t was on that v
ate that J. w. Cook. alleged accom- y
lice of Mrs. Hirsch, swore he had seen Il
frs. Hirsch and the mayor in com
position" in the mayors :, =
flee. =,
Mrs. Hirsch began her statement Z,
18th details of her meetings with Mr. ~
andler in connection with the rattle :,
{ an automobile for the benefit of the :,
ed Cross. o,
After reciting details OF the visit to -
Ir. Gamblers office and the securing OF n
Is approval of the scheme, MIS- IA
Iirsch's statement went into the de- y
ills of her acquaintance with J. W.
ook. T
Continuing. the statement described L
Icidents leading up TO the alleged oc-
lrrence in Mayor Gamblers private
flee on Feb. 6.
ITO the best OF my recollection" the
atement said, II met Mr.. Gambler on
orsyth street on Tuesday. Feb. ). lie
alked up and shook hands with me,
ltted me on the shoulder. and asked
,out a fever blister on my lip. I'VE
liked about that and he then asked
When are you coming up 20 see me
-ain2- I replied. i don't know. Mr..
,ndler, Mr.. Hirsch is in town today
"Mr. Hirsch left town the next morn
2. and at 4 O'Clock IN the afternoon
went 10 Mr.. Gamblers Office. He
et me at the door. put his arm
ound me. practically before the door
az closed. and locked the door. one
followed another, until
AnaUy consented 20 do what Mr..
Indler wanted me TO do. T,
Double Shades at Windows.
'sThe windows had double shades on
en-. and the shades were about a foot
I'm the bottom Of each sash. When
saw a man look through the win
" a. u Il frightened me. 80
.rted 10 run ont of the door NT
ndier said. Don't do that. jus; hide
lr face ! turned around and saw