The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1918-03-29
Start Trial OF
VIM. M. Nelson
JURY IS SECURED AT COEUR D. ALENE
Attorney R. II. Elder Makes Opening Statement
For State. No l. ". ". In City.

dustrial and political reform and
that when the state had estab-
lished these things a verdict OF
conviction would be expected
from the jury.
The first witness called for the
state was Sheriff E. b. holland,
who was on the stand all yester-
day afternoon and up to the time
we go to press. 1t is expected
that the sheriff will not finish his
testimony before this evening.
At the time Mr.. holland was
placed on the stand the counsel
for the defendant asked that all
witnesses be excluded from the
court room and they be ordered
not to talk either among them
selves or with others regarding
the testimony they will give. This
order was entered by Judge
Flynn.
Attorney Costello stated that
for the purpose of expediting
matters the defense would admit
that Nelson was secretary of the
II. w. w. in this city and would
also admit that he solicited mem
bcrs and issued membership
cards. The state then offered in
evidence pictures which we're
hanging on the wall Of the head
quarters here at the time the
place was raided by the sheriff.
The defense objected strenuously
tc the introduction of these pic
lures and after arguments by
both sides Judge Flynn ordered
them excluded. The state also
offered the charter of the local
organization of the I. w. w.
This also met with strenuous OBJ
jections on the part of the coun-
sci for the defense but was ad-
mitted by the court over his OBJ
jcctions.
Attorney Elder then began the
Identification Of the documents
and literature seized, with Sheriff
holland on the stand. Attorney
Costello stated he would admit
that the literature offered by the
state was taken from the head
quarters and a recess of an hour
was taken to.permit the state to
list the literature which was Of
fered in eVidenhe. When the trial
Of the case was resumed after
the recess Attorney Elder spent
over an hour reading extracts
from a book on sabotage written
by Emil Pouchet, copies of which
we're displayed for sale in the
headquarters. Attorney Costello
also registered strenuous objec-
tions to the admission of this
work in evidence but was over
ruled.
Sheriff holland was again
placed on the stand when court
opened this morning. He testi-
fed that last fall approximately
eighty per cent of the men work
ing in the woods in Benewah
county we're members of the 1
w. w. The entire forenoon to-
day was spent in the introduction
and Identification of documents
letters and records Of the organi-
zatiOn, the defense battling every
step of the way in an attempt tC
prevent the introduction of the
evidence. This evidence shows
largely the plans of the organi-
zation as to increasing member
ship in this section and method;
to be used in dealing with the
employers. The introduction OF
these exhibits was again taken VI
when court convened this after
noon and will continue the re-
mainder of the day.
While the courtroom il
crowded at Coeur d'Alene, ther'
are no members of the I. w. w
| in evidence and it is believed
there are very few in that city
the prompt measures taken b,
the civil authorities and stat
troops in this city evidently hav
> ing changed the intentions of an
who proposed to attend.