The San Francisco call., 1908-12-24
ATTORNEY SCORED
IN SHORB DIVORCE
Franklin P. Nutting Finally
Withdraws and Former Cli-
ent's Wife Gets Decree

In monosyllabi answers TO her at
torney's questions Mrs. Elizabeth e.
Shorb told Judge Graham yesterday of
young Bernardo Y. Shorbs inability
to pay their board bill of $40 a week,
Of his plant that he was about to go
into bankruptcy and of his demand
that she return to him rings and other
presents. She was granted a divorce.
Shorb, a boy of 10, sat in the court
room while his wife testified, grinning
sheepishly. With him was his mother,
an old lady in widows weeds. who
seemed greatly embarrassed by the
ordeal.
Gowned becomingly in blue serge
cut in the extreme of fashion, hat to
match with long. sweeping feather. ex-
pensive furs round her neck, young
Mrs. Shorb told her short story hesi-
tatingly. Attorney John J. Barrett had
to ask her a long series of leading
questions. and a simple Yes" or No"
was her almost invariable answer.
A remarkable scene preceded the
trial. Attorney Franklin p. Nutting,
Shorb's attorney, clung 10 the suit
with tenacity, refusing to quit until
formally discharged in open court.
Barrett criticised Nutting's action with
the gloves off.
BARRETTs COMMENTS
This is the first time I have ever
heard of an attorney demanding to
continue with litigation when his
client wanted to discontinue Barrett
said "A few days ago Shorb came to
my office with his mother and told me
he did not want to fight the matter
any longer. He told me further that
he did not think his attorney. Nutting
would stop because he owed Nutting
some money. At my suggestion Shorb
thereupon dictated a letter dismissing
hi a+f
ney has since been running around
subpenaing my clerks and others try
ing to prove there is collusion."
At this stage young Shorb made his
first appearance in court In reply to
questions from the judge he said he
did not wish to discharge Nutting as
his attorney but desired that the law
yer should not further contest the di-
vorce suit.
Nutting started to tell OF a CONVERSE
tion with Shorb last Monday when Bar
rett interrupted:
Il do not like to see an attorney be-
traying his clients secrets
MRS. SHORE TEsTIFIEs
In her testimony Mrs. Shorb said
that the marriage took place July q
1907, and that since July 25 her hus-
band had contributed nothing to her
support. They returned to San Fran
cisco from their honeymoon July 49,
Before the end of their first week at
the Hotel Majestic, Shorb informed her
that he did not have enough money to
pay the board bill of $40. He told his
wife he was looking for employment
she said, but admitted that his funds
were completely exhausted. He also
told her that he was going into bank
ruptcy, and that rings and other pres
ents he had given her must be returned
where did you go?" asked Barrett
Home" answered the witness
shortly.
Has your husband ever since given
you a centT
NO"
who has supported you?"
Father"
Mrs. Shorb testified further that her
husband subsequently told her his rep
reservations as to ability to support
her and as to his looking for employ
ment were false
John r. Sheehan. brother of Mrs
Shorb, corroborated the testimony as
to the dependence of Mrs. Shorb upon
her father for her support.