Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-23
SAYS JUDGE:
|SUNSOUND
IN MIND
AIexAberman Gives Startling Tes-
timony Against Accused Fed
eral Jurist at Probe.

MACON, Jan. 23.-United States
District Attorney Alex Alderman to-
day >vore that he believed Judge
Emory Speer used cocaine or some
other drug, declaring that he would
leave the bench when becoming irri
table and go in an ante room, and
that upon returning in a few minutes
he would be in a fine rumor and bril-
liant in his demeanor.
Mr. Alderman was the fihst witness
this morning before the Congressional
Investigating Committee. He testi-
fed that he was engaged by Judge
SpseS TO represent Henry Jemison, the
Judge servant, in the celebrated ha-
bsas corpus, which was brought in the
Judges court. He said that Judge
Speer twice refused his request to
make the Supreme Court mandate in
the case the judgment of his court.
He testified that the judge woefully
neglected the business of the court,
going away for three, four and five
months each summer. He said the
Judge only liked to try such crimi-
nal cases as attracted newspaper at
tenton.
Believes Mind Unsound.
Mr.. Alderman declared that in his
opinion Judge Speer's mind had been
affected since June, 1907. He said
mat on one occasion in that month
the Judge, who had always used chsste
language, INDUCED In violent out
break of obscene words, and acted as
Il his mentality was tainted.
Mr.. Alderman recited the oliver
bankruptcy case, where all of the es-
tate was consumed in fees. The firm
OF Ialley e. Heyward-composed of
me Judges son-in-law and his former
secretaly-was allowed $4,000 as at
'orneNs for the trustee and $3.50 as
attorneys for creditors. Other attor-
news, not in the judges favor, received
500 for similar services, he said. The
Judge allowed his marshal, George f.
white, who was receiver, the sum Of
Ll0O as a fee.
The fifth day of the Speer probe
FOUND mere than 40 witnesses in
waiting.
1t is believed that the sitting in
Macon will now extend through next
Wednesday. Upon conclusion OF its
Nearing here, the committee will go
70 savannah. Then Waycross vii. be
visited. 1t is not likely that Augusta,
albany or Valdosta will be inclu led
IN the Itinerary.
Fielder to Take Stand.
Attorney General Thomas S. Fielder
"'l probably go on the stand in the
afternoon.
L. &. Harris testified Thursday aft
sihoon that Judge Speer put him in
OahNruptcy, although 80 per cent OF
"'s creditors had agreed to a compro-
muse He showed where $4,000 in fees
'@S been paid to attorneys appoint
e' oy Judge Speer in the case. Four
journeys, including Judge A. j. Cobb.
O'le OF the judges personal coun-
So N the present investigation, were
'ppoInted to represent the receiver,
'"o never had to go to court.
Speaker BurwelI Testifies.
United States Court is in session on
we stand Ladies cordially invited to
''ehd was the substance of a pla-
gro which w. II. Burwell. speaker
VI NE Georgia House, testified was
'os'ed in hotel at Toxaway, n. c.,
Were Judge Speer was holding a
'te-ia' session of court. Mr.. Burwell
az introduced as a witness to the
&c that Judge Speer at times held
'ull without his jurisdiction and by
'' ooing Inconvenience attorneys and
s"ers required to attend.