New-York tribune., 1918-07-18
Disagreed From Time They
Were Able TO Use
Their Fists
Met Seldom of Late
Defendant Is Expected to Fin
ish His Testimony
To-day

john j. O,Leary, charged with having
conspired to aid in the recent flight
OF his brother Jeremiah, yesterday took
the witness stand in his own behalf
before Judge Augustus N. Hand in the
United States District Court here.
Wearing a smartly cut brown suit
and purple tie, he stepped forward with
alacrity when his name was called. His
answers were given in strong, brisk
voice. If he suffered any qualms Of
nervousness OR anxiety they were not
apparent during his stay on the stand
The crucial part of his story, how
ever, still waits to be told. More time
than had been anticipated was con-
sumed in the examination of other
members of the OLeary family, so that
it was almost a o'clock before the de-
fcndant was called. In the time that
remained there was no opportunity to
60 into the events of the famous niphts
automobile ride that preceded Jerrv,s
flight or the subsequent efforts that
the government charges the defendant
made to conceal his brothers where
abouts.
Disagreed With Brother
Instead, under the guidance of Colo
mel Thomas B. Felder's questioning. the
witness went into the background of
his own past. He declared emphatical-
ly that he had never had anything to
do with Jerry.
1--WE had disagreements from the
time we were able to use our fists"
YVES the way he put it.
When that satisfying method of set
Ting differences ceased to appear con-
sonant with the dignity of their ad-
agree and didn't bother each other.Y
the witness said.
During that period, according to
John, about the only time the two met
was when they came together in con-
nection with an Irish literary and his
torical society in which both were in
terested and through the efforts of
which Irish history and Gaelic are to-
day allowed tc count for points in the
Regents examinations.
The first time he was ever associated
with his brother in business way,
John swore, was when Jerry called him
up and asked him to become attorney
for the anti-Britsh magazine known
as "Bull."
Worked His Own Way
Whether or not John ever harbored
Presidential ambitions or aspired to
become a captain Of industry" he did
not say, but as he traced the tale of his
early days it became apparent that he
had followed all the approved rules.
At the age of nine he started selling
newspapers and milking the cows Then
he established a speed record in going
through an Albany business college,
studied law in the Office of Demo
cratic leader" supported himself
through stenographic work while COM
pleting his academic course and finally
came to New York and bewildering
series of rapid-fire promotions. Dur
ing all this time powers of attorney
were showered on him from right and
left, so that when, just before his leave
taking, Jerry came along with a blan-
ket power of attorney it was Just an
ordinary item of the days work for
John.
The defendants mother and father
and his two younger brothers, Alexis
and Dan, all testified concerning vari-
Gus family gatherings prior to Jerry's
runaway. 1t is expected that John will
| conclude his testimony to-day
At the close of the proceedings yes
terday Judge Hand announced that he
purposes to have the case finished this
week even if it be necessary to hold
night sessions and continue court
through Saturday.