The Washington times., 1914-06-21
WRIGHT INQUIRY DUE
TO END THIS WEEK
Mccoy Subcommittee Indicates
Desire to Hasten Proceed
ings at Capitol.

With the possibility that the inquiry
Will be closed by the end of the week
the Mccoy subcommittee of the House
judiciary Committee will resume tomor-
row its probe of the Wright impeach-
ment charges. Indicating the desire OF
the committee to expedite the hearing
an all-day session was held yesterday
1t was the first Saturday session con-
Quoted by the committee
Roger ]. Whiteford, an attorney. and
Assistant Corporation Counsel, was a
witness late yesterday. He was fol-
lowed by James S. Barcus, recalled, who
again testified regarding the settlement
Of the claims between the Bureau OF
National Literature and Arts and the
United States Savings Bank Justice
Wright, as member of the board OF
the two institutions, assisted in this set
tlemenL involving book contracts and
notes. Justice Wrights attorneys and
friends claim his services We're purely
OF business and not legal character
Mr.. Whfteford was critical of Justice
wright, asserting that he allows busi-
ness TO lag in his court He said. he
might be termed hostile" to Judge
wright. so far as the Justices official
conduct is concerned
Told of Petition.
Mr.. Whiteford told of the circulation
OF petition among the lawyers to have
tive instead of four trial days a week
IN the District Supreme Court He said
the majority in favor of five days was
small. but that nothing ever came OF
the petition.
DO you not know" asked Mr.. Oar
lngton, that when we had five Jury
Gays week the docket was two years
behlnd' and 1t was reduced to about a
year,"
It's considerably more than a year
oehlnd now, retoEted Mr.. whiteford,
we said recently compiled statistics
showed the court calendars to be
average.
Answering question by Mr.. Darling
ton. Mr.. Whiteford said lawyers repre-
senting the largest practitioners seemed
70 constitute the majority of those
against the fise-days-a-week plan. At
torneys for the street railway com
panies. and other large corporations.
signed against having the court sit for
i've trial days. He named a number
oI attorneys who had signed in oppo-
siuon-
As to Court Calendar.
Is there any court here wherein the
business is more expeditiousIy transact
ed than il Justice Wrights eourt?''
asked Mr.. Darlington. is there any
court calendar in better shape?"
think there are judges here at
tending to their duties mora earnestly
thar Justice Wright" said Mr.. White
ford.
Who, for instance?'
Il think both Justices Stafford and
Barnard kept their work. up better.
: ustlce Barnard has retired now. l
nave known both Justices Stafford and
Barnard to work on Saturdays. and the
latter has eliminated his lunch hour at
times TO continue hearing cases.
MI. Whiteford said Justice Wright in
sisted upon the observance of the court
hours of 10 TO 8 daily, and nad asserted |
that he would not sign bills of e1cep- |
lions after hours.
Mr.. Darlington asked If Mr.. White |
ford had talked with Wade H. Cooper |
bout the case. and received an arfir1na- |
i've reply. He said he had discussed |
he case with Mr.. Cooper both before !
and after the fling of the charges.
Did you say one day at lunch at the |
-ity Hall that you would see that JUS
tice Wright did not have an opportun-
" 10 resign. this being short time
Il
asked Mr.. Darlington.
Fails To Recall Statement.
Il do not recall that said that I do
say now that charges would be pre-
'erred before ever allowing him TO re-
sign. If it were left to my consent"
Has there been talk for some time
Of having Justice Wright impcached ,"
asked Mr.. Mccoy.
Yes. the conversation about Justice |
Wright has been such as to establish |
the desire on the part OF some attor-
leys 10 have Justice Wight impeached. |
J his began more than a year ago"
Have you any interest in this ex-
oept public Interest,"
Not an iota."
Your statements about impeachment
are based on statements made to you |
by various people?"
Yes, most Of which you have de-
::eloPed at this investigation" answered
Nr. Thiteford
James S. Barcus, OF New York. T-esi- |
lent Of the National Bureau OF Litera-
uTe, whose business relations with the |
. nlted states Savings Bank have been |
ne subject OF intermittent inquiry be-
ore the committee, was recalled 10 !
IDENTIFY number of exhibits. He was !
asked about copies Of the agreement be- |
ween the bank and the bureau, both an |
original and a revised draft being
shown.
Dictated An Agreement.
Mr.. Barcus said he thought he per |
'onally dictated an agreement in New |
ork in December. 1910, and that Il was |
iiler consultation with counsel for the |
,ureaU. Mr.. Friedman.
Was Justice Wright present at the |
.onferenceT' asked Chairman Mccoy, |
eVerting 10 the activities of Justice |
y Hght In bringing about a settlement |
u the claims between the bank and the |
5ureau. the justice being an officer OF |
ne bank and Of the bureau
Yes, Justice Wright was there. ! in |
.!ted him and Mr.. Friedman to lunch !
GLOWING board meeting in New York. |
Ny purpose was 10 see il we could ar
1snk
We did arrive at an understanding |
md l put II in the shape Of a contract |
he next week, the lunch being on |
Saturday. and / sent the contract 70
Justice Wright. I believe. The &C cow
anne back with changes. and l recall |
hat ! then re-dictated the contract"
Mr.. Darlington asked II the New
fork conference was TO arrive at some
business basis for the purchase of the |
looks held by the bank" |
Yes answered Mr.. Barcus.
Sought Legal Basis.
And il was also 10 reach some legal
basis on which you could do it?'' asked
Nr. Mccoy.
That is not the thought I had in
mind"
How do you distinguish between
business and legal basis?''
They might be mixed in drawing a