Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-06-16
Fund Is Started
For Minister in
Case
Dr.. A. Powell Davies
Launches Campaign
For Arlington Cleric


Davies announced he had started
a fund to defend an Arlington
minister in a contempt of court
action.
The minister is the Rev. Ross A.
Weston Of Arlington Unitarian
Church. ffsxL
Mr.. Weston has been ordered to
appear in Arlington Circuit Court
on Friday to show cause why he
should not be held in contempt.
In a sermon on May IS, the
minister attacked Judge Walter T.
McCarthy's decision of May S
ruling that Federal employees are
banned from serving on the Coun-
ty Board.
The minister said that the de-
cision comedies with the interests
of the State political organiza-
ton which appointed Judge Nc
earthly. A report of the sermon
was presented to the court by
John Locke Green, former Coun-
.ty Treasurer and the attorney
aNho is attacking the right of Fed
eral employees to serve on the
board. Mr.. Green asked for the
contempt citation.
Will Appeal if Necessary.
In announcing yesterday the
start OF the Ross Weston Fund"
to his congregation at All Souls
Unitarian Church, Mr.. Davies de-
clared the Weston case will be
fought right up to the Supreme
Court, if necessary.
DR.. Davies said. "Mr. Weston is
following in the tradition of the
great Virginians, none of whom
was aly-mouthed in the pres
ence of what they felt to be in
justice"
1T must never happen that one
class of American citizens, the
Judiciary. are immune from the
that comes to the rest of
u.s."
DR.. Davies said further that, "if
| went on Judge McCarthy's basis,
1 would find him in contempt of
clergy, who by sacred obligation
must speak out boldly whenever
they see injustice, and who leave
1t to the conscience of the people
to decide if they ere right. In
Communist and Fascist countries,
the pulpit is fettered. In America,
it must remain free"
Called Personal Weapon.
Mr.. Davies declared that Mr..
Weston does not have to be right
any more than a judge is always
right. If Judge Mccarthy thinks
Mr.. Weston is wrong he should
simply and plainly answer him.
A contempt of court proceeding in
such circumstances becomes a
personal weapon, not available to
other people,, he said.
DR.. Davies announced that If
further court proceedings become
necessary after the trial Friday
in Arlington. a national appeal
would be made for campaign
funds.
DIR. Davies said funds for the
drive should be mailed to the
Ross Weston Fund, All Souls
Unitarian Church, Sixteenth and
Harvard streets NV"
Outside Judge Named.
Judge Lyttleton Waddell of
Charlottesville will hear the con.
tempt case.
Mr.. Weston will be represented
by the law firm of Goolrick g.
Ashby of Fredericksburg, Va, and
by Wendell Berge, former as
sistant attorney general in charge
OF the antitrust division of the
Department of Justice.
commemorative Attorney Will
liam j. Hassan will prosecute the
case.
Robert w. Cox, chairman of
the Arlington County Board, also
has been ordered to appear before
Judge Waddell Friday in a show
cause action.
Mr.. Cox will be represented by
Edmund D. Campbell, former
chairman Of the board and now a
candidate for Congress from the
10th District.
Mr.. HaSsan asked to be dis
qualified from participating in the
case. Commemorative Attorney
Stanley A. Owens of Prince Will
liam County, has been appointed
as prosecutor.
The action against Mr.. Cox also
is the result of a request by Mr.
Green. The former treasurer SUBJ
mitted to the court report of a
speech made by Mr.. Cox May q
to the darlington Civic Associa-
ton. Mr.. Green contended tibet
the remarks constituted contempt
of court and were detrimental to
the interests of his clients.
Mr.. Green brought the case to
GUST the Federal employees in be-
half of six citizens.
The Virginia Supreme Court OF
Appeals has taken under advise
ment an appeal from Judge Nc
Carthy's decision.
Police. Firemen Set for Come
Arlington police and firemen
will meet for their annual base