The Washington herald., 1914-05-28

BAT ITLEOF WITS
in WRIGHT CASE
Session One Of the Liveliest
Thus Far IN Pro-
ceedngs.
". ]. LAMBERT ON STAND
Tells Of Chase to Find Judge
to Appoint the Re
ceivers.
W. ]. LAMBERT ON STAND

Attorney J. J. Darlington. representing
Justice Daniel Thew Wright and Attor-
ney Wharton e. Lester, witness against
the Judge, matched wits yesterday In
one of the liveliest sessions thus far held
in the Impeachment proceeding against
Judge Wright before the House suocom-
mittee.
Attorney Lester followed Attorney VIII
ton ]. Lambert, the star witness Of the
morning session. Both told of their
efforts 10 get Justice Gould's signature
to an order appointing them and Frank
p. Reeside receivers for the First Coop
erative Building Association OF George
town after falling to ind Justice Wright,
then sitting in vacation term. Justice
Gould signed the order at his home ana
the next day Justice Wright set It aside
and appointed Attorney William Earle
Ambrose alone to wind up the building
association.
Mr.. Lester said he represented the d.
rectors of the association and several
stockholders, all together owning about
$4,000 worth of shares. According to his
testimony. Attorney Lambert hled the
original bill for the appointment OF .
receiver and Mr.. Lester prepared an an
swer which he intended to file to defeat
the purpose of tine bill. He had to 60 to
Maine for a week and while he was away
the directors became suspicious Of ].
Barton Miller. secretary and treasurer Of
the association. After Mr.. Lester e
tuned he agreed to the appointment Of
receiver to conserve the assets for all
concerned.
Refused to See Them.
Messrs. Lambert and Lester then
prepared an order for Judge wrights
signature appointing them and Mr..
Reeside receivers. They had tried to
see the justice before his closing hour.
but failed. Mr.. Lester testified that
Judge Wright refused to see him be-
cause II was after hours. Finally the
two lawyers tried to locate Judge
Wright by telephone, and finally
abandoning this hunt, started out to
hunt up Justice Gould.
Justice Gould signed the order after
1t had been represented by counsel
that there was a grave danger Of the
building association books being de-
stroyed. but would not remain In the
city long enough for the attorneys to
prepare the $4,000 bond for his sigma.
ture. The justice had to go to the
The next morning the order
was presented to Justice Wright and
he, according to both lawyers testi-
mony. became angry and severely
criticised them for having obtained
the order from another Judge. Judge
Wright ordered his clerk to strike out
the order and appointed Mr.. Ambrose.
Attorney Darlington brought out
that the Ambrose order was passed
with the consent of Lester and Lam
bert and the committee asked for an
expladatton. Both lawyers tsstfAed
they had consented because Justice
Wright had urged them to do so. Mr..
Lambert further testified that Justice
Gould had urged him to do just az
Justice Wright wished him to in the
matter to prevent delay in settling
The building association matter.
Justice Wright Justified.
Mr.. Darlington reminded Mr.. Lester
that there was no consent Of record to
the appointment OF him, Mr.. Lambert
and Mr.. Reside, intimating for that rea-
son alone Justice Wright was justified In
the appointment.
A tense moment came when Mr.. Dar-
ington asked the witness to what rea-
ION he attributed Justice wrights set
ing aside the Gould order.
For a long time I just thought II
was because he got offended at another
Judge acting while he was sitting In |
yacation term" replied Mr.. Lester, after i,
The question had been reread twice. |
Chairman Mccoy instructed the stenog-
-apher to note that the question had
1een reread. |
What do you think about II nowr.
inquired Mr.. Darlington. Il ask to |
,e excused from answering that ques- |
ion." replied the witness.
VERY WELL" said Mr.. Darlington.