The Washington times., 1924-07-23

With assurance OF water men
that the other bodies win be found
before then, plans are underway for
funeral for all the victims here
on Friday afternoon.
Of Robert Franks, was called and
sworn.
He was asked to tell Of being
taken by two newspaper men to
undertakers where Robert Franks
body had been taken. After his
visit there had been established,
Grove asked him to describe the
body.
Identified Body.
1T was absolutely uncIothed,' =
the witness said. '.It had on horn
trimmed spectacles which / removed.
then examined certain marks and
established beyond doubt that It
was the body Of my nephew
Jacob Franks then took the
stand. He appeared visibly at.
fected az the questioning concern.
ing his son and the first time he
saw the body. He gave his an.
swers, however, in q clear tone.
After establishing his identity and
place Of residence the prosecution
asked about thei condition Of his
son on May II. the day before the
murder.
This finished. the prosecution
next asked:
And where did you next see
your son.
Mr.. Franks faltered coughed and
said slowly, but clearly:
AT the morgue."
Mr.. Franks then identified shoes
and q stocking which his son had
worn the day Of the murder. He
held the States exhibits lovingly
and seemed reluctant toShand them
back.
AS more exhibits-a belt buckle
clasp pin and other articles of cloth.
ling-were handed to the father, his
eyes half filled with tears, and he
clasped and unclasped his hands
as II fighting for control.
In answer to each OF these Ques.
tons concerning the exhibits, he
said:
YES, / recognize that. That was
imy boys"
Ransom Letter shown.
The George johnson" ramson
| letter, written to Mr.. Franks, de-
inanding $1,000 for the safe return
/ Of his son, was identified by Mr..
Franks and then read into the evil
denne.
The letter already published adj
vised Mr.. Franks that mis- son had
been kidnapped, was then safe and
would be returned If the money
was forthcoming. It gave elaborate
details for getting the money to
| the writer and warned that II 10.
lice were notified or any other
provisions not carried ont, the Toy
would be killed.
The letter, which the State
charges was written by Leopold,
was signed Geo. Johnson"
At 1890 o'clock, while Mr.. Franks
was still on the stand, court wns
recessed until p. m.
Women Interested.
Half an hour before scheduled
time for the hearing, there were
less than twenty-five people, exclu-
sive Of newap0permen, In the little
court room. A majority Of these
were women, mostly young, who
chatted gaily as they awaited the
start OF proceedings.
| As the morning wore on. and
the broiling July sun beat down
into the room on the southwest
corner Of an age-old building, the
heat increased until II became al
most unbearable. Not q breath of
air stirred the curtains on the long
windows as newspapermen from all
parts Of the country toiled at tables
and improvised benches set up in
all available space in the room It.
i self and the jury box. useless in
this trial where the judge will be
both judge and jury.
In the street outside, however, a
surging mob which increased mo.
mentarily battled for positions near.
est the door which eventually will
open to admit less than TWENTY-FIVE
Of the eager public.
| Bailiffs and q corps of uniformed
police patrolled the corridors Of
the building and all elevators were
stopped at the fifth floor--the one
below the conference.-the creden.
tials were examined. They under
went another examination at the
corridor leading to the court room
and at the door itself the passes
hearing the signature Of the chief
justice again had to be produced.
| Even this early, and despite the
casual small talk Of spectators and
newspapermen as they awaited the
start, an air Of tenseneas and ex-
element pervaded the room. An
expectant nation was awaiting de-
velopments in this little room to.
day and the handful Of people
here was reacting to the thrill.
| The fight Of defense attorneys.
headed by the veteran Clarence r..
Darrow. who has appeared in some
of the most celebrated cases In
American court annals, will be cen.
tered on Fan effort to convince the
court that, although the boys are
undoubtedly guilty Of q most helm.
Gus offense, they are young and
their mental attitude is such that
there are mitigating circumstances.
They hope Judge Caverly will
sentence their clients to term OF
years. They know the youths win
not go to the hospital for the
criminal insane, but If sentenced
must be confined in q cell at Joliet.
Their act OF pleading guilty makes
them sane under the law, no matter
how insane they vet may be proven.
Franks Mother Called.
It was announced today that not
only will Jacob Franks, aged mil.
lionaire father Of the little victim.
take the stand. but the heartbrOken