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