Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-22
Attorney O'Donoghue Testifies
Before ''ouse Impeachment
committee.
INTIMATES DlSPLEASURE
AT ACTION OF JUDGE
United States Attorney Wilson, Also
on Stand, Tells Of Speedy 1ndict-
ments and Arrangements.

Daniel W. O'Donoghue, an attorney, told
the Wright impeachment subcommittee
of the House today that Judge Wright
had approved the sale Of property under
will at price only $25 higher than he,
O'Donoghue. was offering, the intimation
to the committee being quite plainly that
Mr.. ODonoghue was dissatisfied with the
outcome of the affair.
Mr.. ODonoghue represented David Sulli-
van. who conducts a saloon business at
1200-1202 E street. Mr.. Sullivan wanted
to buy the property. In looking into the
matter. Mr.. O'Donoghue found that the
property at 1902 E street was part OF an
estate. with Fred s. Bright as trustee
under will. and that there was in exist
ence a court decree authorizing the sale
of the property through the F. H. Smith
Company to George W. Norris. Mr.
y Donoghue said that 1880 was the
offer.
Tells Of Higher Offer.
His testimony was to the effect that
Mr.. Sullivan was tied up with trust notes.
etc, on recent purchase Of the bust
ness. or a portion of the property on
which the business stood. SO they got
the Heurich Brewing Company interest
ed. and that concern offered to back
Sullivan. but not in its own name. Mr..
O'Donoghue said man named Coghlan
then appeared on the scene, and the SUBJ
sequent offers Of $4,000 made for the
place were made in that name. Mr..
ODonoghue said he drafted a letter. Of
fering $4,000 and inclosing $500 as a
deposit to show good faith.
There was then an argument as to
whether the offer Of 1880 authorized
by the decree was to be taken or whether
the ODonoghue-Sulliv -Coughlan offer
of $1a5OO was to be accepted; and the
matter went to Judge Wright's court for
decision. Judge Wright decided that the
$4,000 offer emanating from Sullivan
could stand.
Tries to Get Statement.
Mr.. O'Donoghue said he tried to get
from the trustee. Bright. statement as
to just what he would do. Sullivan, said
the attorney. was anxious to buy the
place. but Bright would not give direct
answer, according to the witness. Mr..
ODonoghue testified today that he had
told Mr.. Bright he wanted to have a
chance at the property. whether sold at
private sale or at auction.
THE next day." continued the attor-
ney, my client. Mr.. Sullivan. called me
up and told me the property had been
sold for $19.525 to George w. Norris. 1
told him 1 didn't think 1t possible; and
called up Bright, who said Judge Wright
had approved the sale Of the property to
George W. Norris for $685."
O'Donoghue then quickly drafted an
other offer for the property. going as
high as $4,000. and had Mr.: Cough
Wright, explained the situation, and
was told to have all parties concerned
in court Monday next. and that the
matter would be disposed of.
The matter was disposed of by
Judge Wright declaring the higher
offer the proper one to accept.
Wilson Again on Stand.
United States Attorney Clarence Wilson
was before the committee a few minutes
to clear up some of the struggling ends
of testimony left from a previous ap-
pearance. Before he left he gave the
committee something to think about In
relation to speedy indictments and ar
fragments in libel cases. He had been
pressed very closely as to why there had
been SO much speed exhibited in hurrying
up the case against Wade H. Cooper. who
had dug up the original statements
against Judge Wright.
the committee to the Page case. Page
is a New York broker, who circulated
statements belaboring the characters
of nearly every one in Congress, and
particularly of the judiciary commit
tee Mr.. Wilson pointed to the speed
with which court action had followed
in that instance.