Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-29
JUDGE AGAR
DECLARES
LAWYER
Osborne Brands Judge Colossal
Conceit," Who "Courts Noto-
riety" and Evades Justice,

SAVANNAH, Jan. 29.-Anticipat-
ing the severe arraignment that would
be made by w. w. Osborne, of the
firm Of Osborne & Lawrence, Judge
Emory Speer did not enter the Fed
era Court room at the morning ses-
sion to-day of the investigation into
his official conduct. His counsel gave
out a statement that he had remained
in his chambers to prepare a state
ment that would be read to the COM
mittee when it adjourned.
Hatred Since Boyhood.
David C. Barrow, Collector of the
Port of Savannah, was the first wit
ness called in the afternoon. He
charged Max Isaacs, while referee in
bankruptcy at Brunswick, with in
tervening in the bankruptcy case Of
J. c. Titzell, of Savannah 100000
afair-after an agreement had been
made among the creditors, and later
deliberately breaking a signed agree
ment of settlement In all of the liti-
cation, Mr.. Barrow said, Referee
Isaacs was arbitrarily sustained by
Judge Speer.
Mr. Barrow said that he had not
practiced in Judge Speer's court be-
cause when a boy at Athens, the
judges home, he formed a lasting
antipathy for him.
Echo Of oliver.
w, c. Snodgrass, of Townsville,
who testified last week in Macon,
was called when Mr.. Barrow was
excused, He narrated the cele-
brated A. B. Oliver case, in which
Oliver alleged escaped convict from
Mississippi, went to Climax. fell into
the presidency of the Climax Bank
and operated as extensively as Get
RichQ Wallingford."
Mr.. Snodgrass told Of proceeding
against Oliver for bankruptcy. He
said that the case was taken out of
the court of the referee and given
TO Judge Speer's court. Hayward
and Talley he said, were made at
torneys, and out Of $1,000 gathered a
fee Of $4,000. The witness here tes-
titled Judge Speer had removed w. c.
Lane, who was referee in bankruptcy,
because newspaper had published
an article mandatory to the referee.
he said Judge Speer had first COLI
PEELED Referee Lane to write an alb
]ect apology making him say he had
conducted the case injudiciously.
Major H, D. D. Twiggs, veteran
member of the Savannah bar, who
was a candidate for the district
ludgeship against Judge Speer at the
Death of Judge Erskine, 20 years ago,
sad that because he had been a can
uldate for the position Judge Speer
Grove him from practice at the Fed
efal bar through unbelievable inso-
renee and discourtesy.
Wrecked Traction Rival.
What Mr.. Osbornes law partner
Alex Lawrence, did not say about
Judge Speer, Mr.. Osborne supplied,
out ne was a more damaging witness
IN mat he displayed no bitterness or
'eehng. His gravest charge against
ue accused jurist was that in the
"'uetles in Savannah, when there was
d rate war on between two electric
faction companies, Judge Speer sided
WIN one, issued a bankruptcy order
against the other and in less than one
"our after the order was signed the
a'aIrs of the company that had been
s'eo' It's books and all its papers were
I" me office of the counsel for the
competing company.
Usurpation Of Power.
Mr Osborne's typified the order as
4surpation of power and an open
mort to side with one company in
We night. He stated that he made a
personal investigation Of the alleged
,'eal'or who had sued the papers and
'lha him to be a Tennessee noun
Continued on Page S, Column 4.