The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-03-09
.C0H0RT Of
.M0NCURE
IN
BOLD MOVE
Judge Barley Renews white
wash" Efforts, but Finds
Stumbling Block.
ny A. Cloyd Gill.

A bold move to halt the probe of
the divorce evil in Little Reno and
give Judge Robinson Moncure
clean bill Of health without fur
ther investigation was attempt
late yesterday by Judge L. C. Bar
ley, member Of the bar associa. ron
committee.
Move Baked by Norton
In the midst OF Moncure's stste-
ment, Judge Barley, who has been
repeatedly referred to as ''one OF
the whitewashers' OF the divorce
ring. interrupted the speaker 20
say:
"Mr. Chairman, I move you, sir.
that since 1t is the sense Of this
committee that none Of the cha gas
against Judge Moncure have been
substantiated. and that Mr.. Cobb
OF The Washington Times has re
fused to appear before this body
the whole matter should be dropped
right where il stands"
Judge J. X. NJ. Norton. another
member Of the committee bslked
the move by declaring that be
could not agree to such a pro-
cedure."
II think we should go into II
thoroughly. I'm not at all satisfied
to stop the investigation"
Moncure was on the witness stand
all of yesterday He will resume
his statement tomorrow morning
at 10 o'clock before the bar asso-
ciation's probe committee.
Blames Members Of Bar.
Throughout his defense. Moncure
has placed the responsibility for the
divorce evil OF Alexandria on mem.
bers Of the bar of that city.
These divorce cases cannot come
to me spontaneously" he said.
They are prepared by attorneys.
When the papers come to me they
are properly prepared.
Having confidence in my attor-
neys. I have accepted all bills OF
complaint in good faith.
Not a single case has been point
ed out here as being irregular In
so far as the court is concerned.
Those cited were merely where II
was a matter of difference in
FORM
Moncure said he had never grant
ed a final divorce decree on the un-
supported testimony of Mrs. Mary
l.. Baggett, known as the divorce
queen Of Alexandria, because of her
frequent appearance as a profes.
sional divorce witness.
Assails DIR. Crafts.
DR.. Wilbur F. Crafts, head of
the International Reform Bureau,
who some time ago deplored the
apathy of the ministers of Alexan-
dria in the matter OF the divorce
evil, was assailed by Moncure.
This alien Crafts" Moncure
said, has the temerity to try and
browbeat the ministers Of this city
and force them to take unjust action
again a man unheard."
The Judge quoted for the record
a score of headlines used over sto'
ries Of the divorce evil as pub
lished In the Washington Times. He
made a blanket denial Of the charges
they carried and finished with the
statement:
"The charges 40 far as they af-
feet me in the matter of law are
false. All divorce DEGREES granted
by me have been regular and cor.
rect"
Moncure told In detail the story
Of his connection with Mrs. Mary
l.. Baggett. In substance. 1t follows:
Arriving in Alexandria nineteen
years ago, Mrs. Baggett was one OF
the first acuuaintances Moncure
made. She was operating a small
candy shop on piece of property
on South Royal street. Moncure
became interested i'm the property
end later purchased II for $4,000.
Mrs. Baggett became so exercised