The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1943-01-23

come and offered him his friend.
ship. He leaned forward 10 hear
Jan was asked several times II NJ
was foreigner and Jan said no
The coroner walked close 10 JAM
chair and leaned the upper part an
his body forward and asked in
loud voice.
do you believe In social equal.
ity for Negroes
The room stirred.
Il believe all races are equal
f. Jan began.
Answer yes or no, Mr.. Erlone,
You're not on a soap box. Do Won
believe in social equality for Ne.
groes?'
Yes"
Are you a member OF the Com.
munist party?"
Yes"
I'm what condition was Mis-.
Dalton when you left her las, sun.
day morning.
What do you meant"
Was she drunk"
II would not say she was drunk.
She had had few drinks"
What time did you leave herr
1T was about one-thirty. think"
Was she In the front seat Of
the carr"
yes; she was IN the from,
seat"
Had she been in the front seat
all along?"
no"
Was she in the front seat when |
you left the cafe?"
NO"
Did you put her in the front seat
when you left the carr"
NO; she said she wanted 10 sN
up front"
You didn't ask her tor
NO"
when you left her. was she able
t. get out OF the car alone,"
Il think so.
HAD you had any relations with
her while in the back seat that
would tend 10 make her. let US say,
stunned. too weak 10 have gotten
out alone:"
NO"
is 1t not true, Mr.. Erlone that
Miss Dalton was in no condition 10
protect herself and you lifted her
into that front seat!'
mo. | didn't lift her into the
front eeat'"
JAMS voice sounded throug hout
the room. There was quick
buzzing OF conversation.
Why did you leave an unpro-
tected white girl alone in a car
with drunken Neg,o?'
Il was not aware that Bigger
was drunk and did not coz sider
Mary as being unprotected"
Had you al any time in the past
left Miss Dalton alone in the COM
pany OF Negroes
mo
"You had never used Miss Daioa
as bait before. had your
Bigger was startled by a noise be-
hind him. He turned his head;
Max was on his feet.
Mr. Coroner. realize that this
IS not trial. But the questions be-
ing asked have no earthly relation
10 the cause and manner q the
death OF the deceased"
Mr. Max, we are allowing plen
~ OF latitude here, The Grand
Jury will determine whether the
testimony offered here has any re-
lation or not"
But questions OF this sort IN
Game the public mind 80
NOW, listen. Mr.. Max. No ques-
ion asked in this room will in-
Same the public mind any more
han has the death OF Mary Dalton.
md you know IL. You have tho
light TO question any Of these wit
lesses. but | will not tolerate any
'ublicity-seeking by your kind
iere."
But Mr.. Erlone Is not on trial
lere. Mr.. Coroner."
He is suspected OF being i'm
'licated in this murder. And were
fter the one who killed this girl
md the reasons for It! II yoi
hink these questions have the
wrong construction. you may cues
ion the witness when were
through. But you cannot regulate
he questions asked here,"
Max sat down. The room was
uiet The coroner paced 10 and
70 a few seconds before no
poke again: his face was red ana
is lips were pressed tight.
VIII the coroner ask Jan any
other questions relative to MS
belief In race eaunlItyi VIII Jan
desert Bigger In this crisis that
means 50 much 10 the future
outcome Of his lamented lliei
The answers 10 these questions
Will he found bv following the
'ucceedlng Installments Of -Na'
tive Son" In yOur home town
newspaper, The Detroit Tribune
BE sure 10 get II each week.