South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-01-28
THREATS FEATURE
TWOHOUR DEBATE
ON RATIFICATION
TALESNEN DELAY
NEWBERRY TRIAL
Large Number of Men Unable
to Appear Due to Flu and
Trains.

~ AecofldLeQ IItSs
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, Jan. 81
Trial Of United States Sen. Tru-
man II. Newberry and 134 co-defen-
dants on charges of election fraud
and conspiracy. scheduled TO begin
here Tuesday. failed to get under
way because of the enforced alb
sences of some of the defendants
and talesmen, a number Of whom
were delayed by snowbound trains.
Court adjourned Tuesday afternoon
until Wednesday morning without
having started selection Of "a jury.
AT the morning session Is defen-
dants and "a talesmen failed TO an
swer roll calls. Tuesday night the
list of missing talesmen had dwin-
died 10 Is and five Of the defendants
still were absent Three Of the mis-
sing defendants had sent kilograms
that their trains had been blocked
by snow. The other two had not
been heard from. 1t was said OF
one OF these, whose home is 16 miles
from the railroad. that "he might be
showed in for the winter"
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, Jan. q.
The jury panel in the trial OF Tru-
man II. Newberry, United states
senator. and 134 others on election
fraud charges. was drawn in the
proper manner, Judge G. W. Ses-
sions ruled today.
Judge Sessions made his decision
In denying a petition by defense at
torneys challenging the jury panel
on the grounds that it was improp-
erly selected.
Michigan politics went on the op-
Grating table here Tuesday
The insides of the states political
history for the last three years
were to be dissected and held uI i0r
public scrutiny with the opening of
the trial of United States Sen. Tru-
man H. Newberry and 134 of his
political cohorts, charged with cor
rupting the ballot box.
By the time the story of the bitter
contest between Henry Ford and
Newberry for Michigan's seat in the
CtlldAt III = AO ~ AHA hfN OAAL anu
kicked around the court room. there
promises to be not even a skeleton
left in concealment.
Newberry and his aides stand ac-
cused Of using fraudulent means
during the primary and general
elections in 1918 when Newberry
defeated Ford in the senatorial race.
The prosecution claims $1.OOO,000
or more was spent in obtaining New
berry's election. The limit set by law
is $4,000.
Charges Against Senator.
The senator is also charged with
fling a false statement Of his cam
uaign expenses and covering up the
huge amount alleged 10 have been
spent. The trial opened at $3.50 "A. m,
before L. <. Dist Judge Clarence w.
Sessions.
Efforts were made 10 obtain a de-
lay at the last minute because OF
many of the principals suffering
from influenza, but Judge Sessions
ruled the trial should proceed
Physicians certificates showing
several of the men summoned as
prospective jurors were suffering
from the disease were presented 10
the court. They were excused
Judge James o. Murfn Of Detroit
one Of the leading attorness for the
defense, was seriously ill., His asso-
,iate attorneys asked Judge Sessions
70 postpone opening Of the case un-
I'll Murfn could attend but the court
refused
The court instructed attaches to
take great precautions TO prevent
spreading Of the flu. Members OF
the venire were told BY Judge Ses-
sions 20 take all possible precautions
10 safeguard their health. They
lions. including warning against
talking among themselves or to any
one else about the trial
Excuse Clerk.
Elmer 7. White. clerk OF Grand
Traverse county, one OF the accused
men. was excused when he sent a
physicians certificate showing he
was ill with influenza.
The opening move by the defense
was expected at the start OF the
trial Attorneys for Newberry an
uoInced they would protest against
the method taken by Judge Sessions
10 eliminating those men from the
venire. VINO the Judge believed, were
unit for jury service because Of r ny
steal disability or other reasons.
Frank G.. DALEY, in charge OF the
prosecuuon hopes 70 see the jury
completed by Wednesday afternoon.
Several government witnesses have
been summoned 10 be on hand at