Evening star., 1922-02-21
ACCUSED WOMAN
FA|N7S IN COURT
Hearing in Case Against Mrs,
Baggett in Divorce Scan-
daI Halted.
From a Staff Correspondent.

From STAN Correspondent.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, February 21.-
Argument for a postponement of the
hearing had barely gotten under way
at the local police court today when
Mrs. Mary Lee Baggett, charged with
making a false affidavit in divorce
suit. tainted. bringing her prelim-
mary trial to a quick end for the
time being.
Judge Duvall. presiding over the
court, set March for the hearing. at
which time it will be determined
from the evidence whether or not
Mre. Baggett will be held for the
action Of the grand jury.
Mrs. Bsggett, who conducts room
ing house on South Royal street,
which. according to the records Of
the court. has made more or less Of
a specially in housing applicants for
divorce, was charged by Thomas j.
Wright of Riverdale, Nd, and Wash
ington, D. c., with swearing falsely
in the suit brought by his wife last
March.
Under Nervous Strain.
Mrs. Baggett was in a highly ner-
vous state when she entered the
courtroom today. 1t was plainly evil
dent from her expression and speech
that she had been under a long and
severe strain. Her brother. Charles
Nowland Of this city, who accom-
panied her and who sat near her in
the courtroom, hurried to her assist
ance when she swooned, and with the
aid of ten policemen carried her to an
antereom, where she shortly after
wards was revived. By that time the
matter of a postponement of the hear
ing had been agreeu upon by the
court.
Edmund Burke of Washington and
Alexandria, who appeared as Mrs.
ately when Judge Duvall called the
case and explained that he was not
prepared to proceed because of the
lack of time he had had to examine
the evidence and to make a proper
study of the various features in
volved. He stated that he had been
called in to represent the defendant
only yesterday, and that he was
without necessary witnesses. and that
he had been unsuccessful in obtain
ing several papers and records hav-
ing an important bearing on the
case. He said also that one espe-
cially important paper was missing
from the divorce suit in which Mrs.
Baggett is alleged to have sworn
falsely, and a review of these papers
is considered highly important; also
he wishes to examine records in the
courts in Washington, which, because
of their connection with at least one
of the principals in this case, will
have an important bearing upon its
outcome.
Unable to Get Witnesses.
Frank Steuart, attorney, of Alex
andria, who has been prominent
sistent in their protest against the
alleged diVorce evil here, appeared
as counsel for Mr.. Wright, upon
whose information the warrant for
Mrs. Baggett's arrest was issued. At
at first in objection to
the postponement, said he. too, had
been unsuccessful in getting all the
witnesses he desired and in exam
lining all the necessary papers, but
he did not consider it necessary nor
adyisa BILE because of this to delay
the hearing. He withdrew his objec-
tion, however, after Mrs. Baggett's
During his brief argument Mr..
Steuart declared tfat when he pre-
sented himself earlier in the day at
the office of the clerk of the corpora
tion court he was denied permission
to examine any papers in the court
files, it being explained that Judge
Moncure of the corporation court had
issued an order to the effect that Mr..
Steuart was not to have access to
fhe court records Considering the
size of the crowd in the little court
room and on the sidewalk under the
huiidine- and from the general COM
ment on the street. it was readily
seen that more than unusual inter-
eat is being taken in this case.
Mrs Baggett's name has figured
nrominentiy In connection with the
oilered divorce scandal and in con-
nection with the frequency with
Which she has testified as to the resi-
Gance requirements of divorce appli-
csnts. Interest also was taken in the
case because Mrs. Baggett's arrest
in the nrst one since the agitation
arose several weeks ago regarding
the so-called evil.
The committee of lawyers investi-
eating the divorce situation here on
Thursday morning will start examin-
ing witnesses who are believed to
be- in a position to throw some light
upon the matter. A dozen or more
have been invited to. appear before
the committee and it is expected that
the hearinsss will consume greater
part Of the aS. J. + Z.