Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-02-24
STATE WILL WATCH
/ DIVORCE ACTIONS
Judge Moncure Appoints
Guardian Ad Litem to
Serve in Alexandria.

ALEXANDRIA, Va, February "a
In compliance with the rule adopted
by him in the handling of divorce
cases in his court in the future,
Judge Robinson Moncure of the To-
cal corporation court today appoint
ed Aylett B. Nicol, local attorney.
commonwealth in the divorce pro-
ceedings started today by Mrs. Irene
III. Havelick against her husband,
Francis J. Havelick.
This suit is the first one insti-
tuted since Judge Moncure, ten days
association, adopted the ruling in
the effort to check the alleged d.
vorce evil by requiring attorneys
filing suits to swear to the truth,
fulnesS of the statements contained
in the suits and also requiring the
appointment of a lawyer to repre-
sent the commonwealth TO be known
as the guardian ad litem. The suit
today was filed by Attorney Morris
Wampier of Washington. and. accord
charged with desertion. The hus-
band and wife are known to be resi-
dents of Virginia.
When the committee resumes Its
hearings March John S. Barbour.
attorney. of Fairfax. who is repre-
senting Judge Moncure. will cross
examine witnesses who have made
charges of a detrimental nature
against his client. r. w. Stump OF
this city will also be at this hearing
to represent Oscar Thomas, and VIII
son Farr of Fairfax Will represent
the law firm of Davis & Budweskey.
The latter firm and Attorney Thomas
have been mentioned prominently IN
connection with the divorce practices
here.
Satisfied of Evils.
Frank Stuart. a member of the local
bar, stated during croSs-examination
by Howard w. Smith. chairman of the
investigating committee. that he is
satisfied that the facts show there
have been many false aftidavits in
connection with divorce suits: that
there has been frequent collusion'
that wrong addresses have been
given frequently by applicants for
divorce SO as to prevent the DEFEND
ants obtaining notice OF tfe ming
of the suit and that Judge Moncure
who presides over the corporation
court, has failed to properly enforce
the law.
two forged signatures to PAPERS IN
suits mentioning the case of Thomas
Wright of Washington. whose Tor
mer wife obtained a divorce from him
last year and who claims his name
was forged to the answer In tie
suit.
Mr.. Wright. when examined. said
that his wife obtained her divorce
without his knowledge He declared
he could prove that she never es.apo
lished legal residence within the
state, and that the affidavit regard
ing her residence was falsely
sworn to.
Attorney Stuart presented two wit
nesses, Mrs. Deborah Lyon and Mrs.
Nathan D. Boothe. both of AieXan-
dria, in an effort to prove his claims
that Judge Moncure had used his
powers as a judge to encourage di-
vorces rather than discourage them
six Papers Missing.
]. Randall Cation. secretary of the
committee, reported that upon In
curry he had recovered thirteen di-
vorce papers which had been missing
from the files of the court He said
six uncovered papers were handled
by Davis & Budwesky and one by
Charles Henry Smith, local attorneys.
Keith Carlin, a member of the COM
mittee, reported that the two cases
sought by him stilf were missing.
Chairman Smith reported that all five
of the missing papers assigned to
him had been recovered
Rev. Z. v. REGISTER and Rev. w. ].
Morton, members of the Alexandria
Ministerial Association, told the COM
mittee they had been named as
committee of the ministers to inves-
tgate the divorce situation, but they
preferred to await the outcome of the
probe being conducted under the aus
pices of the bar association. Both
asserted they had every confidence in
the honesty and integrity of the
members of the investigating COM
mittee and they were convinced that
the committee was conducting it's
probe in thorough and fair man
ner. J. r. Y.
Poi fyro OF
old. typist, residing at 613 B street
northeast, was arrested this afternoon
by Detectives Messer and Sweeney
and taken to Alexandria, Va. where
the police were informed she is al
legged to have sworn falsely in a di-
yorce proceeding. The police were
told that her husband charged that
she had sworn falsely with reference
to period during which she claimed