New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-23
Larkin as Own
Lawyer Lands
Self i'm Tonbs
Committed for Contempt
When He Charges Justice
Weeks With Befogging
Issue; is Released Later
Answers Own Queries
Irish Radical Appears in
Dual Role of Witness
and Attorney for Defense

coiiSo A1o nil, IL 1911 1hOACoI. SPCuC on
exciting day at his trial yesterday, be-
ing successfully committed to the Gus
tody of the sheriff for contempt of
court. and a result refused to par
! tcipate in the court proceedings; then
examining himse on the witness stand,
and finally being freed from: the
sheritf's custody.
Larkin, who is acting as his own law
yer, frankly told Justice Weeks at the
morning session that he believed an
attempt to befog the issues was being
made by both the court and Assistant
District Attorney Alexander +. Rorke by
making meaningless Interruptions"
The courts answer was to commit Lar
kin to the Tombs.
Prosecution Rests Case
At the afternoon session La1kin told
Justice Weeks he would have nothing
to do with the trial while the prosecu
TONS case was put in and sat mute
while Rorke called witness after wit
ness to substantiate the charge of
criminal anarchy against him. He sat
with his arms folded and his massive
head turned toward the window, away
from the jury. The prosecution finally
rested its case and Larkin was in
structed by the court to make his open
ing to the jury.
Larkin then called himself as his
own witness. In answer to his own
questions, he said the United States
could repudiate its paper money any
time it chose, was not bound by its
written pledge, and that, except for a
! few Writers Of note, the United States
had no literature worth discussing.
1t was while he was examining
George R. Lovatt, "a former Canadian
police officer, that the first dispute
arose. Lovatt had testified to his part
part played by his co-defendants in it.
Larkin questioned Lovatt and aroused
the objections OF both Rorkc and JUS
tice Weeks. who demanded: What
materality has that, Mr.. Larkin?"
''Im trying to prove that the union
men of Winnipeg were conducting a
constitutional strike and that this
witness was member" explained
Larkin.
functorily.
81 cannot prove it," declared Larkin
in speration, "if the court and the
District Attorney desire to obscure
with meaningless interruptions the
mental intercourse Of thought between
the defendant and the witness"
"You have no right to say that the
court is trying to obscure the issue
here said Justice Weeks, angrily.
and now" said Larkin, that you are
doing So"
Larkin Questions Himself
VI
suited the court and such an atfront
must be severely punished The jury
was excused and Larkin committed to
the custody Of the Sheriff. which meant
he would have had to spend the rest of
the time during the trial in the Tombs,
having been heretofore free on $4,000
bail.
AT the afternoon session Larkin took
the stand, and the jury viewed the
UNIQUE spectacle of man asking and
answering his own questions. Larkin
told his life story. He recounted in
great detail the part he played in the
great Liverpool dock strike in 1906;
how he organized the dock workers Of
Ireland in 1903 and was arrested on
numerous occasions. He said he is the
commander in chief of the Irish citi-
zens' army, which he organized in 1908.
Advocated Use of Force
did you advocate the use Of force ?"
Larkn asked himself.
Yes" replied Larkin, ain its intel
lectual application and sense
physical force, violence or any other
unlawful means ?" was his next ques-
ton.
NO. replied the defendant, "ncver.
| advocated educa zion, organization and
the application Of that organizations
power for new forms of society to take
the place Of the present outworn and
useless FORMS
would such forms Of society bring
permanent peace and obviate strikes %
was Larkin's next query.
Yes he replied.
"Would any other system effect per-
ma a1M peace
What form do you advocate?
"A soviet administration by and for
the people, giving to all men the right
Of presentation"
by the use of the BALLOT" was
Larkin's next query.
At this point Justice Weeks inter-
posed, saying: Answer that question
yes or no
Ballot Unqualified
Beg pardon, your honor" said
Larkin, "Im examining myself" There
was much laughter at this.
Can the present system be changed
by the BALLOT
"No The ballot is qualified
means. 1t is not Fundamental and
can only ameliorate as it is part OF
the present political machine"
Larkin went to on say that he had
never tried to overthrow this gov
eminent" He continued:
The defendant and others advocate
the repudiation Of the national debt"
Iaklng dollar bill out Of his pocket,
he obscrved: "Is this an obligation?
On the face Of it It is. But this note
is not now worth IS cents. These things
could be repudiated by the government
tomorrow morning"
Larkin's commitment was revoked by
the court ut the end of the days ses
SION and the trial will be continued
this morning.
Woman Held as Fugitive