Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-13
DIVORCE CASE PHASE
DEVELOPS AT HEARING
Attorney NJ. ]. Colbert Testifies To-
day at the Wright In
vestigation.
Details Circumstances Attending Pro-
ceedings in Court When Charge Of
Collision Was Made.

After relating a phase of the circurn-
stances surrounding the divorce case of
Finley vs. Observation-Disclosures which.
II Is stated, involve the professional
reputation of prominent men In Wash
ington-Michael J. Colbert. who ap-
peared today as a witness in the Wright
impeachment hearing before a subcom-
mittee Of the House judiciary commit
tee. declared he had been subpoenaed
much against his will
Il called upon Judge Wright at his
house a month ago" said MIR Colbert.
to tell him he had my entire sympa-
thy in this matter.
AT one time Wade II. Cooper called
on me. and | was not In. and his at
torney, Mr.. Hudson. came to me and
asked me what 1 knew about the Fin
ley divorce case. 1 simply declined to
talk. ] did not want to be dragged
into this matter and 1 am here much
against my will"
Charge of Collision.
This was stated during cross-exam-
ination of Mr.. Colbert by J. J. Darling
ton, attorney for Judge Wright Prior
to that time Mr.. Colbert had given his
version of the charge by Judge Wright
that the decree of divorce in the Finley
case had been obtained by collision
between attorneys.
Because of the statement that had
come to Judge Wright that there had
decree setting aside the divorce de-
cree, and one effect of that was that
the husband was saved from paying
about $500 of overdue alimony. There
testimony, but it appeared that no Official
testimony had been filed and judge
Wright's judicial note book is the only
record to be had.
This the Judge produced and handed TO
the subcommittee Mr. Colbert said he had
time-referring to the collision in
sinuation-and had refused to examine
any witnesses at the hearing In the
judges chambers.
and l was there to tell what knew of
Chairman Mccoy asked Mr.. Colbert
what he had to say about the testi-
mony given by previous witness. who
claimed that Mr.. Colbert had ap-
preached him with the suggestion that
the divorce decree be vacated
AN absolute falsehood." said Mr.. Col
bert. sharply.
Mr.. Colbert said he was attorney fer
Mrs. Finley.
AS to the COLLISION charge by Judge
Wright Mr.. Colbert said Judge Wright
sent for him and said that 1t had come
to his knowledge that the decree in this
divorce case WIS OptAlItcu lAiOuBu CVl-
fusion involving Mr.. Colbert. Mr.. colbert
testified he had replied that 1t had been
physically impossible for him to have
done anything Of the sort, as he was IN
Naples when the decree was granted.
He also stated that Judge Wright had
become very severe in the matter and
had told him to go around and fix II
up with a certain attorney.
This Mr.. Colbert refused to do. He
told the committee that the attorney
mentioned lis a scoundrel."
The witness then said that he had
turned over the case to an assistant IN
his office. He said also that Judge Wright
had told him this thing will ruin you"
unless fixed up" with the attorney with
whom Colbert refused to deal
The story he related then carried the
subcommittee into hearing in Judge
Wright's chambers. in which the aIega-
ton of collision was thrashed out.