Evening star., 1944-02-26
Continued From First Page.)

Justice MCGUIRE said. could be con-
sidered only for its "evidential
value"
Mother Asks Custody.
The petition was filed by Attor-
neys Walter Green and William j.
Lichtenberg, representing Miss Man
ners. She asked she be given Gus
tody of the child pending the out
come of litigation in the District.
Mr.. Langan said last night he did
not intend to relinouish the girl until
some competent court" ordered him
to do so. He would not say where
the girl was, beyond revealing that
she was sleeping at the home Of
friend. Mr.. Langan lives at 482l
Chevy Chase drive, Md.
The father. who faces contempt
order if he returns to Maryland, in
dicated he had no intention of TAX
ing the child when he came down.
town yesterday to have breakfast
with the girl and her mother at the
Ambassador Hotel
Says Child Wanted to Go.
THE child held on to me and
seemed to be afraid" he said. Il
asked her if she wanted me to take
her with me and she said she did. :"
After that, Mr.. Langan said, he left
the hotel with the girl while the
mother was making telephone call
They went sightseeing until noon,
he said. after which he took the girl
to the home of the friend
Mr.. Walker, who entered the case
after he received word Of the father
taking the child from the mother,
said last night he did not know
whether he would institute legal
action in the District Yesterday he
said he planned to file a custody
petition in District Court today and
would ask the court for an order
restraining the mother from remov-
ing the girl from this Jurisdiction.
He said he would seek to have the
child turned over to police and, In
turn, to a Catholic home.
Mother Leaves Hotel.
The father said he had the great
est respect for all courts, but con-
tended the facts in the case were
not thoroughly considered by the
Rockville court The question of the
child's best interests was not gone
into by the court on Thursday, he
said.
Mr.. Langan, former Hollywood
director, now with the Office OF
Strategic Services here, appeared
weary after a day of dodging Miss
Manners and newspaper reporters
He explained that he had tried
frequently to call his ex-wife during
the day to assure her the child was
safe In his care and urged her not te
worry, but that he was unable to
reach her.
A few hours after Mr.. Langan took
the child an order to show cause why
he should not be cited in contempt
was issued by Judge Stedman Pres
colt in Rockville. The order can
not be served on the father so long
as he remains out of Maryland. He
did not return to his home ir
Chevy Chase last night.
Attorneys Favored Giving Up Child
Both Mr.. Walker and Loui,
Lebowitz, who represents Mr.. Hangar
in the Maryland end of the case
announced yesterday they were try.
ing to arrange a meeting with Mr.
Langan to persuade him to relinquist
the child This conference did moi
materialize
Miss Manners, through her attor.
ney, Walter Green, tried yesterday tc
obtain kidnapping warrant against
Mr.. Langan. United States Attorney
Edward M. Curran declined to issue
the writ on the ground that kid
naping cannot be charged in the
District unless there is a demand
for ransom.
Mr.. Langan said the possibility
that he might be kidnapping hi.
daughter never entered his head.
Il feel I have a bona flde order
of the State of California giving me
custody of Joan," he said. Il be-
lieve I am within my rights, regard
less of the Rockville decision"
Meanwhile, a deputy sheriff was
posted outside the home of Mr.
Langan in the event he should re-
turn there.
During the course of the custody
hearing in Rockville. Joan repeat
|edly expressed her desire to remain
with her father, with whom she has