Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-21
TOCONS|DER COURSE
IN SPEER CHARGES
Georgia Delegation in Con-
gress Tentatively Arranges
for Meeting Shortly.
Subcommittee LIKELY
TO TAKE UP THE MATTER
Papers in the Federal Judges Case
Include the Report of q Spe-
cial Examiner.

Georgia representatives in Congress
tentatively arranged for meeting OF
the Georgia delegation tonight or to-
morrow to consider Q course of action
regarding the charges OF Official mis-
conduct which have been made against
Federal Judge Speer OF Georgia.
1t is probable that subcommittee OF
three members Of the Georgia delesa-
ton will be chosen to ascertain what
ever facts are possible to get az. and to
consider the whole subject OF what steps
should be taken In the House pending
the consideration Of the charges in the
House committee on judiciary.
The committee will not meet until
next Monday. but the Georgia men,
bers will be accorded the right to see
the charges meantime. Among the
charges are some trivial suggestions.
including allegations that the judge
had conducted himself in an egotistical
had himself invited to attend q meet
Ing of q state association to address IL.
Judge Speer Ia republican and
an appointee Of President Arthur, and
ably will contend that tho charges are
by political animus and
started by disappointed litigants.
Committee Session Guarded.
The judiciary committee of the House
probably will finish the discussion and
examination of the charges early next
week, and II the charges are sustained
the House may be the scene of another
impeachment trial somewhat similar 10
that of Judge ArchboId Judge Speer
will be given an opportunity to appear
hat h. ip1ic anunYniffap
The sessions Of the judiciary commit
tee on this case are carefully guarded.
and the statement authorized by the
committee for the press gave absolute
ly no Information az to the committees
attitude, beyond saying that full dis
cussion of the papers would folio"
their examination.
The papers before the committee in
clude the report Of Special Examiner
r. Cotton Lewis, submitted by the De-
partment OF Justice.
Summary Of Charges.
The most serious charges dealt with
in the examiners report are:
That Judge Speer unlawfully permitted
the wasting or dissipation OF bankruptcy
estates that came within his jurisdiction
AZ 4 federal judge.
That he presided in cases in which his
was an attorney on a contin-
gent fee. with full knowledge that his
decision would affect the fee of his SON.
in-law.
That he was guilty Of imposing unlaw-
full punishments for contempt In cases
coming before his court
That he ignored the mandates of tho
circuit courts of appeal and OF the SUI
preme Court O.. the United States In GER
tain cases.
That he was absent from his district
when he should have been attending to
his duties in court.
That. contrary to law. he tried cases
outside OF his district.
There were other charges relating to
what the judges accusers claim to be
arbitrary conduct. and one relating TO
personal habits. The accusations. In part.
are a reiteration of attacks made or
Judge Speer from time to time during his
many years Of service since his appoint
ment to the federal bench by President
Arthur.