Evening star., 1944-02-25

that he would call later. She said
she agreed to meet him and talk
things over.
Mr.. Langan, who was on IS 900
bond for his appearance in court
yesterday, was released of the bond
after the trial.
The child was awarded to her
mother after a 14-hour hearing
yesterday in the Rockville Circuit
Court. The judges decision was
made on writ of habaes corpus
filed in November by the mother
who asked the Maryland court to
uphold California court order is
sued In September, 1943, in which
she was given custody of the child.
Attorneys for Mr.. Langan said
they would take the case to the
Maryland Court of Appeals.
The girl. who had said on the wit
ness stand yesterday that she wanted
to remain with her father, who lives
at 1921 Chevy Chase drive, an en-
ploye OF the once of Strategic Serv-
ices, cried, Go away, go away" to
her mother when the latter attempt
ed to take the child. Before she was
finally persuaded to leave by her
father, with whom she has been
living since November. 194l, the
child made several attempts to flee
from the courtroom.
In announcing the decision, Judge
Charles w. Woodward said he had
been particularly impressed" with
the attitude of the child toward her
mother.
He pointed out that while the girl
had testified she was unhappy
when she thought of her mother and
did not want to accept any gifts
from her. pictures introduced by at
torneys for Mrs. Langan indicated
that the child had loved her at one
time.
Since the father has had the
child" Judge Woodward declared
some one has placed this hate in
the child's heart toward her mother
1t is not normal or natural. The
only possible reason for her attitude
is that some outside influences were
brought to bear on her. We think
the child can be just as happy with
her mother as with her father"
Pointing out that Mr.. Langan had
admitted he took Joan out of Cali.
fornia in violation of the court orde,
awarding her custody to her mother
Judge Woodward emphasized tha,
evidence in this case did not dis.
close that the mother was unit L
have custody Of the child.
Jurisdiction Question Raised.
Mr.. Langan's attorneys Loui
Lebowitz. Joseph B. Simpson, jr
and Miss Vivian Simpson, had con
tended their client was a resident O
Maryland and was therefore no
subject to the Jurisdiction of tn,
California court.
They also claimed that the Mary.
land court had authority to dis.
regard the California order and de.
eide the case solely on the basis O.
the best interests" of the child.
The judges pointed out. however
that under the Constitution, the,
are required to give full faith ane
credit" to proceeding and decree.
OF a court in another jurisdiction.
Testimony showed that Mrs
Langan. who was represented BY
Attorneys John r. Reeves and
Mr.. Green, was divorced from her
husband in 1899. Since that time
the case has been in and out Of
court with five orders giving custody
OF the child to the mother issued by
California courts within the last two
years.
Yesterdays hearing was enlivened
by charge by the Rev. John Palm
assistant pastor OF Our Lady of
Lourdes Church, Bethesda, a wit
ness for Mr.. Langan, that the court
was being very unjust to the child.
He made the charge on the witness
stand after asking, Does the child
have no say in the case?"
May Face Contempt Charge.
.IIldoo WooNu,orI khn,,