The Washington times., 1926-06-19
REF. RANKIN
TO PRESS
CASES

1
erick A. Fenning, according to
an order signed today by JUS,
tice Siddons, Of the District
Supreme Court, is discharged
and released from Federal liza
bility" as committee Of Adolph
Adler, the insane World War
veteran, who figured so CON
spicuously before the Congress
sional investigating committee.
The discharge is conditioned
on the delivery of the assets
Of Adler to his father, julius
Adler, who is nominated by a
New York court as committee.
Adler living in their jurisdic-
htion now.
A petition Of Mr.. Fenning, in
which he asked that the % per
cent commission which he re-
l.ceived from q bonding company
for the renewal of his bond be
credited to his wards estate, was
approved by the court. Mr.. Fem
ming also asked that some Of the
commissions from bonds claimed
by him in the proceedings in the
six counts be also credited to his
wards estates. There was no OBJ
lection filed by him to the reduc-
ton Of his compensation as COM
mittee for the last year from 10
per cent to per cent allowed BY
Justice Siddons.
The court ordered that the Adj.
Ter account be, closed upon the
surrender of $12,S14.22 found to
be due Adler by the auditor of
the court.
Asked to Give Up Fees
Last week Justice Frederick L.
Siddons, of the District Supreme
Court, ruled that Commissioner
Jennings bond CO m m i 8 10 n
charges against the estate Of his
ward, Adolph Adler, were Illegal.
It was indicated that suits for
recovery of the commissions
might be filed by relatives of
| other wards from whose estates
Fenning had collected similar COM
missions.
Late yesterday Jennings coun-
sci, w. W.. MILAN, secured a court
order for the return the amounts
of bond commissions received from
eight wards, totaling S177.27, the
individual premiums ranging from
| IS to 1925.
Total Of $4,000
Representative Rankin estimated
that Commissioner Fenning, dur
ing his quarter of a century OF
guardianship practice, has collect
ed similar commissions approxi-
mating $4,000. all Of which, he
said, are subject to return.
Rankin referred to Jennings
Eeoi4eation Of bond premium COM
missions from the estates Of his
wards as an illegal and disreput.
able practice"
It probably will be impossible
for Commissioner Fenning to fol-
low out his policy. started yester-
day, Of returning the commissions,
| 1t was pointed out today, as many
OF his wards have died and the
guardianship Of others have been
transferred.
Another phase Of Commissioner
Jennings guardianship practices
will be aired in the District courts
next Friday.
A writ of habeas corpus has been
secured from Justice A. A. Hoehl-
ing, of the District Supreme Court,
in behalf OF Lieut.. Frank d. Allen,
u. S. N, retired, one OF the Com
missioner's wards at st! Elizabeth's
Hospital.
Declares He Is Sane
The writ calls for a hearing in
the Supreme Court Friday as to
Lieutenant Aliens sanity, and as
to the justice OF holding him In
the hospital.
! Lieutenant Allen has challenged
his commitment since he was sent
to the hospital on q Navy Depart
ment order q year ago.
George F.. Curtis, attorney for
the officer, also will contend that
his client Is a resident of Able
marie county, Va, and that the
local courts have no jurisdiction
over him.
Lieutenant Allen was a witness
before the House District Subcom-
committee In support of the claim
advanced as to his sanity by Rep
resentative Thomas L. Blanton, of
Texas, author of the impeachment
charges against Commissioner Fen
ming