El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-04-10
Innocent Man Identified By Wounded
Victim AS One Who Shot Latter, But
Legal Aid Society Comes To Rescue

NEW YORK. April 1o.-Supposs
IN that one day, while you were
partaSing Of an innocent stew
in the midst OF your assembled fam
lily, detective suddenly appeared on
the scene and arrested you on the
charge OF having shot and probably
fatally wounded a man Suppose
that this revelation came as q COM
plete surprise 10 you, but that upon
being dragged TO the hospital where
the injured man lay. you were ldenti-
fled by him as the guilty party. Sup
pose then, that your only abb was
the word OF your family, with whom
you were quietly playing checkers
at the time the man was shot. and
that this abb was not considered
sufficient by the guardians OF JUS
tice. What would you do2
This IS what happened TO a young
workman here not long ago. and he
found that he could do practically
nothing. II he had possessed a large
bank account, there would have been
several favorable courses open to
him. but his possessions consisted
only OF a vie and three young chill
dren.
wife Does All She Can.
The wife did what she could. how
ever. Accompanied by her children.
she went 20 the nearest branch Of
the New York Legal Aid society. and
\
The attorney made her tell Il several
times. and. at last convinced that
she spoke the truth and that her hus-
band was innocent, he decided to
take the case. Il proved 70 be a
difficult one The injured man had
told his tory, and he intended to
stick 20 It, but after a desperate
fight, the society's attorney was able
10 pick sufficient flaws in L to con-
vince the jury that the workman was
not guilty.
Fortunately for those who are IN
able to afford the advice and assist
ance OF expert attorneys. a very ef-
flcient legal aid society exists here,
which handles thousands OF such
cases every year.
Unlike most charitable organiza-
lions. the offices Of the New York
Legal Aid society are dingy. poverty
stricken suites in the most ineZpen-
sive buildings the locations possess.
The headquarters on lower Broadway.
consist Of about three small rooms,
crowded with motheaten furniture,
legal documents, attorneys, iuvesti-
gators and clerks. all getting IN each
others way. whine the reception room
provided for the clients IS a space
five by four containing two ancient
and battle Scared benches, which
are usually crowded with forlorn
looking applicants for Justice
widow sona Ont Story.
The other day, the first applicant
summoned for consultation by the
attorney in charge was a widow in
somewhat furnished mourning. who
burst into loud sobbing as she at
tempted 20 repeat her story The at
torney already knew a part OF It. She
had been in the office a few morn
ings before TO complain that her hus-
bands family would not let her at
tend his funeral. He had died al his
mothers house. and the motherin-
with the wife for some time. refused
to let ker come 10 the house Now.
however, she was in receipt OF
bin for the funeral expenses, which
the motherinlaW was quite willing
for her 70 pay
money, and he make a row" she told
the attorney. What shall I do2"
Nothing" said the attorney
briefly. IF he sues, just come TO
Us. Next case, please"
The fearful widow was ushered
out. and the next applicant, a small
boy CT y, wearing entirely too wor-
rled an expression for a boy Of his
age, faced the attorney with a cour-
ageous attempt at a smile.
How'd II come OUT he asked
striving to keep his voice steady.
"All right, Tony all right" said
the attorney reassuringly- You can
stay right on with your grand
mother"
Tony. the attorney later explained.
Is q young mariner whose great
grandfather kept a boathouse on the
Harlem river. and for the past four
somwhere in the offing Tony had