New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-14
HARTR|DGE Loses SUIT
Court Orders Search for Grounds
for DiSbarment.
MRS. THkW NEEDN'T PAY FEE
Judge Holt Wants TO Know If
Lawyer May Be Prosecuted
for Perjury.

Clifford W. Hartridce lost his suit Hester-
cav for $4,000 against Mrs. Mary Copley
Thaw for counsel fees for defending Harry
X Thaw. Under instructions from Judge
Holt Henry A Wise United States Attor-
ncy. win begin to-day an investigation OF
the former Thaw counsers conduct I'm the
case To find out whether there are grounds
for = prosecution for perjury. and there
may he disbarment proceedings.
The sealed verdict was handed up TO
Judge Holt as soon as The United States
Circuit Court opened Deliberately the
court read it. and handed it 20 the clerk
n was for the defence. There was no ex-
PLANTATION. Then Judge Holt denied a mo-
Won by cartridges counsel, William r.
Wilder. 10 set the verdict aside, produced
q paper prepared by him before the court
opened. and read as follows:
Before closing the trial. ] wish 10 refer
- the subject OF the charges made In the
plaintiffs bill Of particulars for money paid
20 various women. II some Of the pay
slents charged in the bill were not made
shere are reasons why an investigation
should he made 10 determine whether
grounds for prosecution Tor perjury exist
sn this case.
II all the payments charged in the bill
az particulars were made, there are grounds
sor an investigation TO determine whether
the offence OF obstructing the course Of
.ustice has been committed. In any case,
the facts developed upon this trial call for
thorough investigation TO determine
whether the plaintiff has been guilty Of
professional misconduct calling for the
notion OF the courts which admitted him TO
practise Law.
Il Therefore direct that the papers and
exhibits In this case be impounded and
seft with the clerk and that they be sub
omitted TO the District Attorney for consid-
-ration whether any prosecution for a
criminal offence should be brought and TO
she grievance committee Of the Bar Asso-
ristion for consideration whether any pro
.eedinCs for professional misconduct should
he brought and 7 appoint Abram J. Rose
s. an officer Of this court to do whatever
g. necessary 20 carry iheso directions into
effect"
When HartridEe heard the verdict against
l'iu ne shook his head slowly. When Judge
HOLT read his instructions. Harridge sat
,'Eidly IN his chair. clutching the arms. He
remained there without moving after every
one concerned in the case, excepting his
counsel. had left The room. He seemed
~azed as he followed Mr. wilder. Mrs.
Thsw Yves not present. but Rose. Of her
counsel. sent telegraph message 10 her
announcing the verdict
late in the dsv HartrldCe gave out =
statement in which ne defended his course
- the Thsw trial and explained the events
rhst leo 20 the presentation Of his bil az
particulars He ended the statement ~
folloWc.
IF erred ~ any ~sv with those ueople
s. vas shat thought Of nothing from the
rfrne 7 went into the case until the disagree
s1e1t 81 the 1Urv after the first trsl but
rreir interests. They are now doing 10 me
what. In one way or another. they have
cone With all the lawyers and al the doc.
-ors they have had anything TO DO with
United States Attorney Wise viii have 2
conference with Mr.. Rose tins morning. a
which Robert Mccormick. assistant TO Dis
tri-t Attorney Whitman. Will be present
Nr. Mccormick was assigned % the case by
Nr Whitman 20 look after the investigation
s- 10 whether HartridEe iu the conduct 81
she defence IN the murder trial was OBJ
SfructinE the course Of justice The Eriev-
suCe committee 81 the Bar Association vii
receive q report from NJ Rose
After the conference III. Wise will place
r1e Investigation TO md out whether per.
surv has been committed I'm the hands Of
'.ne 81 his assistants. II was said last even,
ing that the inquiry into each phase of n,
'zse would ~ FASTENED as much possible.