Evening star., 1932-01-08
EDITORS CONTEMPT
CASE PROBE URGED
Newspaper Men Ask Assem-
bly, to Investigate HopeWeII
Judges Conduct.
Nv the Associated Press,

Ey the Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va, January S.-Eght-
cen Virginia newspaper men at an In
formal meeting here yesterday adopted
a resolution asking the General Assem-
bly, Of Virginia to investigate the con-
duct of Judge Thomas B. Robertson OF
Hopewell in the contempt case against
j. w. MapoleS, editor Of the HopeWeu
News.
Byron ]. Lewis, editor Of the Rich
mond Times Dispatch, who presided at
the session, appointed a committee to
Law the matter before the Assembly,
which meets here next Wednesday.
Those named were Maj Z. w. Opie,
managing editor of the Staunton Eve
ming Leader; Mai Raymond B. Bottom,
business manager of the Newport News
Press. and Mai. Powell Glass, managing
editor Of the Lynchburg News.
The resolution follows:
Text of Resolution.
''Resolved. that the publishers and
representatives of Virginia daily news
papers. in session in Richmond this 1th
dav of January, 1882, have viewed with
the deepest concern the actions OF Judge
Thomas B. Robertson Of the Corporation
Court of Hopewell, Va, in regard to
SlltRGO GOIlGEillIb Va NOoAb ~ ~
Mapoles. editor of the Hopewen News.
Published reports indicate that the
court has been guilty Of unjudicial con-
duct rejecting discredit upon the judi
ciary of Virginia, and that the court
has flagrantly abused its power and has
violated constitutional rights OF the
press, in view of which we believe
thorough investigation should be made.
Resolved further, that we respect
fully petition the General Assembly OF
Virginia to investigate the conduct Of
the Judge Of the Corporation Court Of
HopeWell, Va, with view TO appro-
pirate action.
Resolved further, that the chair ap-
point a committee to communicate this
resolution to the General Assembly and
use its efforts to secure action"
Mapoles and Chief of Police Shepard
of Hopewell were fined by Judge Rob-
ertson because the officer made and
the newspaper printed a notation,
which, according to Judge Robertson,
tnsinuated that the court had freed
q big bootlegger."
Several lawyers sought to file de-
murrer. Later Mapoles published in
his paper in the letter to the editor
column letter signed "A. P. Harp" or
"a. P. Harry which said so many
lawyers mlRuG nave IcIuONcd GIAc COuIb
bodily. It was signed "Jokester" in
the paper. A grand jury investigated
the letter and discharged Mapoles.
Author Not Found.
Judge Robertson then asked Ma
poles who wrote the letter and Ma
poles is said to have replied that he
couldn't say of hand, having left the
letter in the grand jury room. An
officer said he had not been able to
locate the person whose name was
signed to the communication.
Judge Robertson sentenced Mapoles
to jail for contempt for term not
exceeding 80 days. Habeas corpus pro-
ceedings before a Petersburg court
failed. Counsel for Mapoles sought to
have the charge amended to read in
direct instead of direct contempt, while
not admitting contempt. Judge Rob
ertson took this under advisement as
well as request for bail. Five days
after Mapoles was confined the judge
issued an order releasing him, and re-
fused to rescind the order at request
Of Mapoles' counsel, who indicated a
desire to appeal.