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About The times. (Portland, Or.) 191?-19?? | View Entire Issue (Feb. 24, 1912)
THE TIMES" Vol. I. No. 19 P O R T L A N D , OREGON, F E B R U A R Y 24, 1912 PRELIMINARY WORK OF GETTING A JURY IN THE WORTMAN MUROER CASE SLOWLY DRAGGING ALONG The present week has witnessed the preliminary skirmishes in Judge Gatens’ courtroom of the Wortman murder case, in which Bert Hicks, an employer, was placed on trial for the alleged murder last Fall o f W. A. Wort- man. The public is very familiar with the case, and only a brief review of the facts is necessary. The lamentable occurrence was the outgrowth of the machinists’ strike, which has been under way for more than a year. Mr. H ick ’s employes were nagged at and in sulted by picketers working in the interest of the union, and it was often necessary to send them to their homes under the special protection o f patrolmen. At last there came a day when Mr. Hicks was followed and rudely jostled about. Evidence at the 'time went to show that Wortman was the aggressor. It was evident that Mr. Hicks had good reason to fear that he was in bodily dan ger, and being backed into a tight position, fired the shot which killed Wortman. The the ory o f the defense is that Hicks acted in self-defense. In addition to the district at torney, W. M. Davis and John A. Jeffrey are engaged as special NON-UNIONIST ENTERS PROTEST AGAINST PICKETS King George V. and His Bag Of Tigers In the Jungle prosecutors in the case, while Dan J. Malarkey, John F. Logan and John II. Stevenson are conduct ing the defense. There have been the usual verbal flings between the attorneys, marking all such eases, with wordy jangles regard ing the competence of jurors. Early in the week it was believed that it would require the full week to get an acceptable jury. By Tuesday night William Can ady, a retired restaurant man, Ernest Balgeman, a contracting carpenter and George Gammie, of the Ladd & Tilton Bank, were passed into the jury box, while E H. Lambert, a carriage painter was under fire touching his quali fications as a juror. Among the veniremen excused w ere: C. S. Sawyer, proprietor o f the Cody Apartments at 431 East Taylor street; J. A. Walker a delicatessen proprietor at 503 East Twenty-first street; T. Eber- le, E. B. Palmer, E. II. Lampert, One thing has been particularly noticeable, even thus early in the trial, and that is the intense in terest taken by the opposing forces— those in favor of the open shop and the rights of independ ent workmen, and that espoused (Continued on Page 2.) already increasing incoiqe. If decent people could move out and leave the two classes to fight it out, they soon would mix up in siteh a way that the world would be rid of two very disagreeable factors, but as this we cannot do as men, we must face the prob lem. We do not question any man’s right to quit his job if he so desires or to ask for more pay if conditions justify the de mands ; however, if other men want to take the vacant places, it is their privilege. I wish to say that many o f the strikers are fair-minded men. but nave not stopped to look at both sides o f these questions. J. I. MONTGOMERY. Anent the subject of baiting beating-up and assaulting non- unionist or independent workmen, for which no remedy has as yet appeared, THE TIMES reprints the following communication ap pearing in a recent issue of “ The Evening Telegram’ ’ : . ABLETA, Or.. Feb. 14— (To the Editor of The Telegram.)— This morning a boilermaker was coming to work, trying to make an honest living for himself and family, when he was brutally as saulted by a striker with a ball bat and put out o f commission. This shows something of the feel ing that still exists between the A special committee of the strikers and the men at work in the Harriman shops. The shops Portland Ad Club prepared the censuring have never been closed shops* following resolution there are several men here that the infamous letter sent out by have been here for years and the Portland Labor Council rec never joined the union or one ently : Our attention has just been eonected in any way with this place. Therefore, I fail to see called to a most vicious, untruth why men are scabs even though ful and uncalled for attack upon they came in after some o f the the State of Oregon by the Cen places were made vacant by a so- tral Labor Council in a letter called strike, nor do I understand which it has sent to the several why a lot of overgrown children Governors and the newspapers are permitted to line up on our throughout the States. The evident purpose of this at streets, “ The Rose City,” and day after day call names, such tack is to create a labor monop as “ scab.” Is this true American oly. and to do this it wishes to ism ? Suppose some o f us should restrict immigration into the take a dislike to our Mayor or State. It is willing to sacrifice Police Judge, or other prominent anybody and anything to accom citizen, and shout at them daily. plish the selfish ends of the lead Would it be right or just? Is it ers of organized labor. legal for a mob to incite to riot? (Signed), I asked several o f the strikers CHESTER A. WHlTEMORE. if they owned the S. P. R. R. or Chairman Committee Portland stock in the company if they Ad Club. would be willing to recognize the federation and the demands made on the S. P. Co., and they an swered no, as every other honest man would. Now. is it possible, iti the land of the free, when men are in the right and no one dis putes it, they they must submit to insults and abuse, and Judges SAN DIEGO.— Six more arrests will wink at a mob that spends months in simply calling men for violation of the “ free speech” names. I am sorry we have two ordinance were made during the great and powerful classes— labor demonstration here last Saturday maniacs do not stop at any crime. I night. strikes, arson, dynamite or mur-! Leaders of the movement an der. to gain their end. and their nounced that they had received end would be nothing less than notice that hundreds of members I the overthrow of all things that of the Industrial Workers of the go to make up a nation: their de World are now headed toward mands in time would exhaust a the city to swell the ranks of G od’s resources, and in the same their fellowmen in jail here. This bunch would look well at manner the money maniacs would take the gold from the new Jeru work in a chain gang on public salem. if possible, to add to their roads. LABOR COUNCIL LETTER ROASTED BY THE AD CLUB SIX I. W. W. S LAND IN SAN DIEGO LOCKUP Photo copyright by American Pres» Association. 1912 ING GEORGE Is said to be one of the three best shots In England. From the reports of his bag of tigers in the Jungles of Nepal one may judge that be lived up to his reputation during his recent hunting trip in that Indian atate. Thirty-four tigers were shot by the party, and twenty-four were killed by the king. This looks ns If some of his party had been better courtiers than sportsmen, but tbeir politeness In letting his majesty shoot first has nothing to do with the accuracy of hig aim. and no body Is likely to question the claims to nlmrodsblp of any man who has killed two dozen tigers, even though he shot from the back of an elephant as towering as the one on which the klng-emperor la seen in our illustration. K Strike Scenes at Lawrence, Where 50,000 Workers Went Out Price 5 Cents CROOKED LABOR LEADERS PRIVATE TALKS RECORDED ON DICTAGRAPH SO GOVERNMENT GETS EVIDENCE INDIANAPOLIS. — Whatever As further showing the oper Frank M. Ryan and other union ation of the apparatus, Mr. Nich officials have said about their ols gave out a sample o f the con office about the dynamite con spiracy since last October is aL versation known to have taken leged to have been learned by the place last Wednesday soon after Government through a phono the arrests were made: graphic device discovered in the Hockin— Go right in, boys. I ’ll headquarters of the International be there in a minute. Association of Bridge and Struc Voice (evidently reporter)— tural Iron Workers. Will all these men be able to get The apparatus, hidden under a bond ? drawer in the desk about which Hockin— We hope so, but we Ryan, the president; Herbert S. have no money to furnish. Hockin, the secretary-treasurer, Voice— How much money is and J. B. Butler, first vice-presi there in in the iron workers’ dent, and other officials conferred treasury? concerning their defense and Hockin — About $20,000, I pleas is said to have enabled Iwo think. Government stenographers in a Voice— By the way, is McNama room below to take daily reports ra ’s picture in this group? of the conversations. • Hockin—Yes, that’s him right The use of the apparatus was disclosed when the Government there. Voice— Is it your idea the Gov decided that it no longer was of value because a woman- ernment will pay the expense of clerk of Ryan’s office was heard these men coming to Indianapolis to say: “ Well, I suppose they on March 12 for arraignment. Hockin— Well, now, that puts are hearing now whatever we say.” That, with statements by an idea into my head; 1 hadn’t Ryan, convinced Assistant Dis thought about that. It beats the trict Attorney Clarence Nichols devil how there are so many that the apparatus no longer was things to think about. It seems the Government ought to. useful. Ryan was told there was a The discovery of the apparatus was made soon after the Govern phonographic device in his office. ment had received intimations He consented to have his inform that some of the defendants were ant search his office. An examination of Ryan’s desk ready “ to tell all they knew.” About District Attorney Mil exposed the annunciator of the ler’s office it was said that apparatus, hanging by its wires “ something had been expected,” against the back wall of the desk, Dis but Mr. Miller declined to say directly beneath the top. connected, the annunciator was what it was. Mr. Miller said the apparatus shown to Ryan and then carried had worked satisfactorily for away. “ What do you think about months and that many volumes “ How did of stenographic notes had been that?” said Ryan. taken and would be used at tbe they get it in here? When told trials. The instrument was still that records had been taken of working when the following was conversations in the office since last October, Ryan said the Gov recorded : Woman’s voice— I wonder if ernment must have a transcript those wires go to the jail and of many consultations between whether they are listening to us officials of the union on the sub ject of the investigation o f the now ? Voice— I suppose so. I wish I dynamiting conspiracy. The wires from the annuncia could find out where the sound tor ran from the back of Ryan’s ing board is. Ryan, do you desk through the floor and into Hockin Say know what a dictagraph looks a room below rented by the Gov ernment. Here sat every day like? Ryan— It’s about as big as a two stenographers for the Fed hat, I am told, but I never saw eral Court, with the receiving ap paratus at their ears. The stenog one. Hockin— I hear there is one on raphers worked in relays except exhibition in this city and I be at such times when it was desired lieve I will go and take a look to take a double record for cor roboration. at it. TRUE BILLS ARE WEAKENING BY FOUND AGAINST STRIKERS MAKES LA BOR LEADERS R. R. STOCKS RISE NEW YORK. — Wall street SAN FRANCISCO. — Olaf A. heard the report that the striking Tveitmoe, secret ary of the Cali fornia State Building Trades shopmen on the Ilarriman system Council, and E. A. Clancy, for were returning to their labors and mer member o f the executive a sharp advance in railroad seeur- board of the International Asso iities resulted. ciation of Bridge and Structural The principal gain was in Union Ironworkers, were arrested here .Monday by I’nited States deputy I’acific, which closed 1 l/j points marshals on indictments found at above tbe previous closing. Sou Indianapolis, charging them with thern I’acific advanced a fraction complicity in a country-wide d y less than a point. The entire rail namiting plot. group was affected to the extent The warrants charged both of a few fractions. Tveitmoe and Clancy with ille GREEN RIVER. Wyu. Fifteen gally transporting dynamite from one state to another. Both were striking carmen, machinists and immediately released on bonds. boilermakers have applied for re Clancy furnishing $10,000 and instatemerit to their old positions, Tveitmoe $5000. Jafet, Lindcberg. an Alaskan millionaire, and Mrs. of whom !* were put to work and Tveitmoe qualified on the bonds lour were promised jobs very soon. for both men. Tveitmoe and Clancy arrived Assistant General Manager M. from Los Angeles Sunday in ac •I. Buckley of the O.-W. R. & \ Photo» by American Pre»» Association. cordance with an agreement with AWRENCE. Mass., takes Its place among the American cities which In the Cnitcd States Marshal T. C. El company, stated that eight old em l*»t few jears hare heen the scene of the most serious conflicts be- Immediately upon their ployes who went out as strikers ^ tween capital and labor With two regiments of militia and h strong liott. release the indicted men, through at Starbuek have applied to Su body of metropolitan police to re-enforce the local force the city lias their attorneys, announced that perintendent Conley at that place been practically under martial law, while frequent disturbances resulted In extradition from San Francisco for reinstatement. bloodshed and death. The arrests of strike leaders on the charge of being Superinten accessories to murder and of a city official for bis alleged "planting" of dyna to Indianapolis would be re dent Conley telegraphed to Mr. mite to discredit the strikers hays heen notable features of the dispute The sisted. Buckley for instructions and was first of oar photographs shows sallUlsmen keeping the crowd of strike sym Both Clancy and Tveitmoe will pathlzers back w*ltb their bayoneta; the second the crowd closing about one be given a preliminary hearing authorized to reinstate the men if of the electric cars which were attacked because they carried strike breakers before United States Commis they bail been orderly during the strike. sioner Krull on March 11. 1