New Britain herald., 1925-09-09
HOFFMANS IN
 COURT OVER SON
Judge Awards Him to Each
 Alternately

NOW ofk, sept, -- Richard Wyndham Hoffman went home with his mother last night.
 For a week the fair-haired child of Dr. Richard Hoffman, and Mrs. Hoffman, who is Janet Bcecher actress, will remain with his moth CT, Then he will revert to his fath- CT for like period This alternat- ing arrangement will be kept up un- til Robert Mo c. Marsh, appointed referee yesterday by Supreme Court Justice Grain, can decide which parent If either" is qualified to act us guardian while separation suits brought by both mother and father are being decided.
 Wasn't 1t funny" said Miss Beecher, as she patted the head of her four year old son in an elevator after leaving Justice Grains cham bers This after three hours of recrimination in and out of court, a recrlmination which threatened to become physical combat.
 Wcpt Tor Boy
 The hearing began and ended with Miss Beecher sobbing and near hys- terics.
 My darling boy! Give me my boy. l have never kept him from you" cried Miss Beechcr when she spied Richard being led into court by Hoffman and the latter's sister.
 From then on Richard, who gave no indication of knowing what the proceedings were all about, vacil- lated between the laps of his moth- CT, his father, his grandmother and his fathers sister, Even at the end of the session, when Dr. Hoffman threatened violence 10 Arthur Butler Graham, Miss Beecher's attorney. Richard still smiled his unsophisti- cation.
 Hoffman clashcd with Graham outside the justices chambers. He was dragged away by Arthur Gar field Hays. his lawyer.
 Tells "You'rc a Liar"
 Mrs. David Flemman, Hoffman s sister, who has had charge of Rich ard since the boy was kidnapped" | by the father here took hand Marching mp 10 Graham, she yelled: You're q liar."
 She then turned 10 Mrs. Oril Wyndham, Miss Beechers mother, and exclaimed with equal Neor:
 And so are you, you wretch" Richard was in court yesterday on a writ of habeas corpus obtained ihy his mother, his parents separa- 1 ton suits having resolved themselves for the time into fight for possess sion of him. Each charges the oth- CT with being unfit 10 care for him. Justice Grain said that if the charges of either were proved unfitness would be established.
 Miss Beecher charged her husband yesterday with having been under the influence of narcotic drugs He, [ through his attorney, accused her of excessive drinking and accused her mother of wrecking the Hoffman home by her belief In spirtualism and spirit writings" He charged further that Mrs. Wyndham had taught Richard lamentations"
 Owed For Liquor
 The spirit writings, Hays said, had led Hoffman 10 invest s25,000 and then s2,5Oo in 8, play starring Miss Beecher. and 1t was this spook be lief that had caused Miss Beecher 10 leave her husband. He declared that she owed s622 for liquor purchased between January i and June 1 this year.
 Mir. Graham described the mother IlCve of Miss Beecher. He said she never had let her theatrical work interfere with her devotion to her son, and it was she who had taken lthe child daily to the park while his father was Trolling over in bed' and sleeping late mornings.
 Richard, it was revealed had been with his mother until August % last, when Hoffman took him. This has been referred 10 as kidnapping
 Justice Grain first suggested that some disinterested person take tenn porary care of Richard. Then he suggestcd that each side name two women, from whom he would select ione. This, too, failed. as it finally was agreed that Richard should al. Iternate between his parents.
 With a kiss to Daddy" Richard then started with his mother for hel home, 50 West 67th street
 A machine has been invcntH,