Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-03-15
RUSSELL CONDUCTING
CROSS EXAMINAT ION
FOR HIRSCH DEFENSE
Trial of Woman for Alleged
ExtOrtion Attempt Expedited
by Judge HiII-CroWds Are
Turned Away

III lfCu hWOy
Late Thursday afternoon court re-
cessed until O'Clock Friday MORN
ing, when the defense viii introduce its
evidence.
The trial of Mrs Margaret Hirsch
on the charge of trying to backmail
Mayor Asa G. Gambler opened at
o'clock Thursday morning before Judge
Benjamin II. Hill and at 1 o'clock re-
cessed until 1880 o'clock. when the aft
ernoon session was to start.
During the morning session but two
witnesses were heard Following the
selection of jury in an hour and If
teen minutes, Mayor Gambler told his
story of his acquaintance with Mrs.
Hirsch that led up to the scene in his
office where she and J. ", Cook are ac-
cused of trying to work the badger
game on the mayor. The next wit
ness, Forrest Adair, described the series
of conferences which he held with Mrs.
Hirsch and with Cook.
All this testimony was much the same
as it was at the trial of Cook It
was evident that the court would strive
to speed up Mrs. Hirschs trial even
as Cooks case was pressed; but with
Judge r. B. Russell acting as leading
animation of both witnesses was moro
lively than before and some vigorous
Tits took place between Judge Russell
and attorneys for the prosecution.
Judge RusselPs conduct of the case
indicated that he intended to fight It
vigorously and. his actions evidently
were so satisfactory to Mrs. Hirsch
that at one stage of the proceedings,
when a question arose as to who was
har phiaf he i,ro,r al
feet and told the court that Judge Rus
sell was her chief counsel and that she
so wished it.
Especially was Judge RusselIs cross
examination of Mr.. Adair of such a ma
ture that the spectators once or twice
were convulsed with laughter and the
Judge had to rap smartly for order 10
still the arguments among attorneys
for both sides.
Courtroom Filled
BY o'clock the Courtroom was
filed with spectators and the corridor
was crowded with people who could no.
get inside. At least half the specta-
tors were women. The deputies strict
ly enforced the seating capacity limit,
allowing nobody inside the courtroom
to stand UP.
Mrs. Hirsch entered the courtroom at
8:45 o'clock She wore no veil, as at
the trial of ]. ". Cook, her convicted
accomplice, a few days ago. but came
in bright and smiling
Cook came into the courtroom a mo-
ment later. He walked over to tina
table occupied by Mrs. Hirsch and her
attorneys. and consulted with them =
few minutes, then went into the wit.
ness room. Cook is out on bond of So
600, following his recent 4. conviction
and sentence to pay a fine of 1,00e
and serve twelve months on the cham
gang,
Court was called to order exactly at
o'clock by Judge Hill. A moment
later, Judge Richard B. Russell, for
merly of the court of appeals, entered
the courtroom and Joined the attorneys
for the defense at their table. He
stated to the court that he had just
been employed in the case and would
like to have a few minutes to confer
with his associates. The request was
granted, and they retired.
Personnel of Jury
The attorneys for the defense re-
turned in a few minutes. and Judge
Russell requested Judge Hill to permit
the defense to question talesmen re-
garding their occupation and home adj
dress. The request was denied Judge
Hill stated, however. that he would per-
NIT the defense. as he stated in de-
nying the change of venue last Tuesday.
to ask the three questions provided by
statute in cases involving capital
crimes. This was an unusual privi-
lege, it was pointed out, which he was
giving the defense to make certain Of
a fair trial, and he thought it was suf-
ficient. The selection of the jury then
commenced.
By 1915 o'clock the complete jury
had been secured. their names being as
follows:
R. L Crawford, 86s South Pryor
street.
W. II. BIackstock. 242 Sunset ave-
nue., proprietor of the Eagle Wooden
ware company.
L. C. Berry, ia Grant street, sales
man for c. D. Kenny company.
]. T. Carroll, Collins district, assist
ant superintendent of Whittier Mills
w. L. Holcomb, Crew street, clerk
at Atlanta Joint Terminal company.
V r. Hollis. "a Park avenue, cashier
at n-Perryman-Greene Hat COM
pany.
c. A Meager. Battle Hill, moulder
at Atlanta Stove Works.
J. r. Lee, Adamsville district, travel
ing salesman
NJ B. Hinton. 2O4 Tiff avenue. ma
chinist
Jacob Herman. 81 West Mitchell
pany.
]. T. stark. Pickwick apartments,
stenographer at Southern Cotton Oil
company.
H l. Dewell, College Park, plumber.
Defense Uses Strikes
In the selection of the jury the de-
Tense used all of its seven strikes and
the state used one. A total OF twenty
eight men was called. Besides the sew
en- men stricken by the defense. and the
one stricken by the state, the others
were stricken for cause on their own
admission of having formed an opinion
concerning the case.
Immediately after the completion OF
the jury the list of witnesses for both
sides were read out TO ascertain if all
were present
While no announcement to this effect
was made by counsellor the defense, ii
became apparent as soon as they re-
turned from their brief conference that
they had selected Judge Russell to con-