Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-16

In matters of religion, temperance anu
humanitarian principles he is the f'Bob
McKenty of Western Pennsylvania.
AS WILLIAM IRWIN SCIIAFFER, at
"A torney general of Pennsylvania, emerged
from the private Office of Governor Sproui
one morning last week he remarked:
''The hearing in the extradition proceed
ings in the case of Harry Thaw takes place
this afternoon in my Office. Want to come
down? As former Pittsburgher l thought
you might be interested" he added as he
moved off down the big reception room ad-
joining the executive Offices.
1 knew Harry Thaw's father, but l never
saw the son. William Thaw was one Of the
vice presidents of the Pennsylvania Lines
West. His Office for years was in the square,
ornate, red brick building at the corner OF
Tenth street and Penn avenue, Pittsburgh
Thirty odd years ago it was the busiest
corner in the city. Browns rolling mill
was just half block away. The Pittsburgh,
Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway tracks
skirted the eastern side of the building. All
the traffic to the Lawrenceville and East
Liberty suburbs passed in front of it along
Penn avenue.
William Thaw had his office on the second
floor of this Pennsylvania lines building He
was of medium height and build, with full
beard worn half length smooth shaven upper
lip and gray hair. He was affable but re-
served; not man who made friends readily.
He had great number of admirers in Pitts
burgh however, due to two causes; his
liberalty in the matter of railroad passes
and his muniicent contributions to religion.
| charity and education. esp
William Thaw was n pillar in the Pres
| byterian Church. If I mistake not he was
| an elder in the Second Presbyterian Church.
He was sincere man who took his religion
| seriously and with a certain austerity.
| Railroad men, as a rule are rather liberal
on canonical Subjects. AS railroad man
he did not belong in the same class with
Robert Pitcairn, who for years was super
intendent of the Pittsburgh division and
| partner of Andrew Carnegie. Pitcairn also
was n Presbyterian; likewise a Scotchman
like Carnegie, and free handed
In the case of William Thaw, his beliefs
were of a rigid and unyieding brand Of
Calvinism. Pitcairn's beliefs were modelled
| along the general lines of a liberalism, per
haps best described in the language of
famous Frenchman, to wit
| God Almighty is a gentleman, and as
| such is not dis Posed to punish the short
| comings of human gentlemen with too much,
severity"
In view of his parentage and the Cod
fearing manner example that was set before
him. it is hard to understand how Harry
Thaw turned out as he did.
STT WOULD be interesting to know just
how much money the Thaws have paid
to saye Harry since the night he killed Stan
ford White" remarked well known man
| of the town the other day He is shrewd
| judge of human nature. this man. and he
reflects the tone and sentiment of the street.
1t is an interesting though purely specula-
tive question to all, save Mrs. Mary G.
Thaw and her family, as to how much de-
tectivcs. lawyers, alenists. psyche analysts.
nerve specialists and the long array Of legal
and medical practitioners have made off
the criminal weaknesses Of this man and the
mother love of the devoted woman who has
used every means in her power to save him
from his fate. ...., .r-,-~,l.
The oldest thing in all the drab length of
this case, which last week reached another
!, milestone, was the appearance. few years
| back of Rodger OMara, Of Pittsburgh, as
guardian for Thaw and protector of his
estate. Reputable lawyers and fnanciers
of sound Judgment We're passed over for the
manager of private detective agency. For
Rodgcr O'Nlara was a policeman with de-
tective's training. He was not a man of
large intelligence or education. He had
risen to the head of the police department
and subsequently established an agency of
his own.
The only reason ever advanced was that
O'AIara knew the bypaths of blackmair and
chicanery that were likely to be pursued By
those seeking illicitly a share of the Thaw
money.