The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-24
SPEER ATTEMPTS
TO VOICE PROTEST
Aged Jurist Loses Control Of
Himself and Makes Out
burst in Court.
MANY WITNESSES TESTIFY
Hearing May Be Transferred
From Macon to Savannah
on Monday.
MANY WITNESSES TESTIFY

Macon, Ga. January aa.-Reiteration
OF charges that Federal Judge Emory
Speer showed favoritisn In rendering
verdicts and for some time has been
mentally unbalanced. was voiced by
witnesses hero to-day before tho spe-
cial congressional committee investi-
eating accusations OF alleged miscon-
duct In Office on the part OF the aged
Jurist.
For the first tlmo since tho hearings
opened on Monday. Judge Speer. who
daily has been present with his at
torncys, to-day lost control of him
self and sprang to his feet, interrupt
ing the testimony of United States Dis
trict Attorney Alexander Alderman and
attempting to voice his protests Chair
man Webb silenced tho accused jurist
Judge Spcer's outburst was called
forth by a statement by Mr.. Alderman.
who liz attorney for Judge Speer's dis
trict, virtually accusing tho jurlst of
delivering n charge antagonistic to
the government.
Speer. 'if you please. l have sat quiet
~ here and listened to mIsrepresenta-
lions which have been heaped upon
me"
Just minute. judge" broke In
Chairman Webb; Il suggest that you
marks that arc necessary"
II am a lawyer myself retortcd
Judge Speer, and l ask tho privilege
of reading to you the charge which
Mr.. Alderman has just attacked"
Chairman Webb refused to grant this
request but said the committee later
would read and consider the charge in
question.
Causes for Estrnnsement.
Mr.. Alderman outlined what he al
legged were the causes for estrangement
between himself and Judge Spcer. He
said that for n long time he and Judge
Specr had been warm friends, but that
the Judge had grown cold to him, he
had refused to recommend the Judges
son-in-law, Mr.. Hayward, OF the law
firm OF Talley and Hayward, for tho
position of assistant district attorney.
1T was then" testified Mr.. Aker-
man, that Judge Speer. who used to
call me son, formerly addressed me
as Mr. Akcrman.'"
Representative Webb asked Mr.. Aker-
man whether or not he knew any
thing concerning charges that Judge
Speer was addicted to the use OF drugs.
The witness replied that no had no
knowledge of such 4 habit.
Mr.. Alderman described what lie
claimed were instances Of discrimina-
ton and unfairness on the part OF
Judge Speer in the rendering OF YER
diets. He alleged that on more than
ono occasion Judge Speer had allowed
excessive fees to the firm of Talley and
Hayward In bankruptcy cases. Tho
/ witness recited what he claimed were
! instances rendering to prove that
Judge Speers mind was impaired.
Before leaving the witness stand, Mr.
Alderman said that he was under OBJ
legations to Judge Speer for his kind
ness to him as young man. but
he cannot expect mo to lie for him UNI
der oath. and he cannot charge my
failure to do so TO ingratitude," he de-
clared.
! b. =. Davis. an attorney, told of hav-
ing been fined for contempt OF court
by Judge Specr under what he be-
lieved to be unfair circumstances H.
s. Edwards. formerly postmaster at
Macon. testified to what he described
as eccentricitics on Judge Speer's part
| w. A. Harris. attorney. testified to
what he considered an unjust decision
by Judge Speer in a case in which he
vas interested
| 1t was announced tonight that In
thc event the congressional committee
Is able to complete examination OF
witnesses fcre by tomorrow night, tho
investigation viii be transferred on
| Monday TO Savannah.