The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-24
SPEER REPEATEDLY
SHOWED FAVOR|T|SM|
DECLARES WITNESS
U. S. District Attorney
Alderman Appears Be-
fore Congressional
Committee

Macon, Ca. January 23.-Reiteration
of charges that Federal Judge Emory
speer repeatedly showed favoritism in
rendering verdicts and for sometime
has been mentally unbalanced, was
voiced by witnesses here today before
the special congressional committee in
vestigating accusations of alleged mis-
conduct in office on the part of the
aged jurist
For the first time since the hearings
opened last Monday Judge Speer, who
daily has been present with his attor-
neys, today lost control of himself, and
sprang to his feet, interrupting the
testimony of United States District At
torney Alexander Akerman and at
tempting to voice his protests before
the committee.
Judge Speers outburst was called
forth by a statement by Mr.. Alderman,
who is the attorney for Judge Speers
district, in which the witness virtual
ly accused the jurist of delivering a
charge antagonistic to the govern
ment.
your honors," explained Judge
Sueer, If you please, l have sat quiet
ly here and listened to misrepresenta-
tlons which have been heaped upon
me-"
Just minute. Judge" broke in
Chairman Webb. Il suggest that you
instruct your counsel to make any re-
marks that are necessary.
Wanted to Read Charge
II am a lawyer myself" retorted
Judge Speer, "and 1 ask the privilege
of reading to you the charge which
Mr. Akerman has just attacked"
Chairman Webb refused to grant this
request but said the committee would
read the charge in question later and
whether or not 1t contained
matter antagonistic to the government.
For the greater part of the day the
congressional investigators listened to
the testimony of Akerman. He outlined
what ne alleged were the causes for
between himself and
Judge Speer. He said the judge had
grown cold to him after he had re-
fused to recommend the judges son-in-
law, Mr.. Hayward, of the law firm OF
Talley & Hayward, for the position of
assistant district attorney.
ut was them testified Mr.. Aker-
man, that Judge Speer ceased to call
me son and formally addressed me
as Mr. Akerman.
Instances of Discrimination
Mr.. Akerman described what he
claimed were instances of discrimin-
alton and unfairness on the part OF
Judge Speer in the rendering of ver-
diets. He alleged that on more than
one occasion Judge Speer had allowed
excessive fees to the firm of Talley
& Hayward in bankruptcy cases. The
witness recited what he claimed were
instances tending to prove that Judge
S,aar,c mind was IMPAIRED
Before leaving the witness stand Mr..
Alderman said he is under obligations
to Judge Speer for his kindness to
him as a young man.
For seven long years l served him
faithfully" continued Mr.. Alderman,
but he cannot expect me to lie for
him under oath and he cannot charge
nv failure to do so to ingratitude." +"
Other witnesses at the afternoon ses-
sion were e. p. Davis, an attorney of
Warrenton, Ga. Harry S. Edwards, for
merly postmaster at Macon, and Wal
ter A. Harris. a Macon attorney, Mr..
Davis told of having been fined for
contempt of court by Judge Speer un-
der what he believed to be unfair cir
cumstances Mr. Edwards testified to
what he described as eccentriicties on
Judge Speer's part. Mr.. Harris tes-
titled to what he considered an un-
Just decision by Judge Speer In case
In which he was interested.
1t was announced tonight that in the
event that the congressional committee
is able to complete examination of wit
nesses here by tomorrow night, the scene
of the investigation will be transferred
Monday to Savannah. Ga