The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-09-21
M'NAMARA CASE
DRAGS AT END
CONTINUED From Page u


and Remy also took turns trying 20
curb the flow of eloquence.
More than an hour and half of
testimony by the witness produced a
single salient statement that the
boiler did not run away down the in
cline and crash against a post, as
charged by the State.
IT saw Mcnamara in the basement
talking to Spots, a steam filter, and
/ saw half a dozen iron workers, /
don't know their names. and I saw
eighteen or twenty other men / don't
know who they were. never
stopped TO inquire all about them"
Judge Cause at this point instructed
hum again to talk to the jury, and
not so fast. so that jurors could hear.
Roldan said he saw no one armed.
On cross-examination he said he had
known Mcnamara for years and
helped elect him business agent of
the union.
Objections Made
And you thought he was the man
you wanted?" asked Remy. But the
witness did not get to answer be-
cause Of objections. At this point
Mcnamara left the courtroom>hav-
ing become wearied with the long,
drawn out testimony and numerous
objections. After Eph Inman, attor-
ney assisting the State, called the
| judges attention TO the fact. Attor.
ney Cox went after his client.
Were you ever arrested and con.
victed of a crime?" the prosecutor
asked the witness.
You're askin' me a personal ques-
ton. now, Buddy" was the reply.
Judge Cause told him to answer.
The witness said he was arrested
once for intoxication, but was only
'fn" for four hours.
Did Mcnamara get bond for you
that timer" Cox objected TO this
! question, but the witness insisted on
| answering.
well If you must know. I'll tell
/ you for your own personal informa-
ton. that he didn't The witness
was excused, and court was ad-
/ journed until 1:45 p. m.
Ortie Z. McManigal, indicted with
/ Mcnamara in connection with dyna-
hitting of the Los Angeles Times
Bldg. in 1910, arrived from Cali
fornia to be a State witness. The
prosecution is undecided as to
whether TO attempt to use Nc
Manigal as the judge has indicated
his testimony will not be allowed.
Remy to Argue
Prosecutor Remy is prepared
to argue that not only has
he proved that Mcnamara stopped
the installation Of boilers in the Elks
Home by threats, driving other
union men off the job. but also that
such action was a violation of the
blackmail statute.
Defense attorneys will argue, it is
indicated from their tactics hereto
fore in the case. that the State has
established neither point.
Defense Contention
Threatening a man merely to get
his job does not come under the
blackmail statute. they contend.
An appeal to the Supreme Court
will be taken, the defense has in
dictated, should a conviction result.
The sentence for blackmail is one TO
FIVE years in the State prison. Using
the blackmail law in an effort to
protect workmen in their jobs during
labor troubles is something new in
Indiana law. Prosecutor Remy said,
Mcnamara was indicted in Oc-
tober, 1924. on four separate charges
of blackmail. following an exhaust
i've grand jury Investigation of a
local labor war in which the iron
workers union took an active part
He was placed under $4,000 bond.
Early this month the labor leader
was indicted again on similar
charges of threats. this time it being
alleged he threatened workmen re.
modelling the interior Of the
Fletcher Savings and Trust Bldg.
Additional bond of $4,000 was given.
Incident in 1923
The particular charge on which
the present trial is based arose from
an incident of the labor dispute
which took place Nov. 2. 1923. while
the new s1,O0O,O00 Elks' home was
being built.
The State has introduced fifteen
witnesses who related the following:
Mcnamara and a crew of union
ironworkers appeared at the base
ment of the Elks home while Freyn
Brothers Company. employing union
steamfittters, was engaged in cas-
ing a fifteen-tone boiled down a run
way. Ben Staggenborg, foreman
for the Nimsn Transfer Company,
whose tackle and truck had been
rented for tho work. was present,
watching the equipment
Mcnamara threatened StaRgen.
borg, told him to get off the job
while he was all in one piece. swung
an iron bar threateningly, remarking
he had a notion to knock his brains
out. and finally knocked a jack from
under the boiler, after which II
crashed against pillar Mcnamara
said he hoped the whole building
would fall down. Then. following
more profanity. Staggenborg and
two helpers were ordered on their
truck and made to drive away, Nc
Namara saying the work belonged
to the iron workers..
Iron Workers Witnesses
The defense to date has placed six
iron workers who were riveting steel
on the upper floors at the time, on
the stand. Each has denied each
point of the States evidence. The
visit was merely a peaceful one led