CRITICISM OF JUDGE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17939, 6 December 1923, Page 9

CRITICISM OF JUDGE.

♦— — STRANGE AMERICAN CASE. (»? CABL3 —PBS33 ASeOCIATOW —COrYBIOBW ) (AUSTBALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) WASHINGTON, December 3. One of the most unusual cases in the annals of Ameiican jurisprudence has just ended. Charles Craig, Comptroller of New York, and the city's chief financial officer, was two years ago sentenced to 60 days' imprisonment for contempt of court in having, in a letter, criticised a Federal judge for his decision in dealing with tho Public Service Corporation. Craig appealed, and the case ulti* mately reached the Supreme Court oi the United States, which reaffirmed the sentence. A storm of popular protest was thus aroused tlu-oughout tho nation, and the Press declared unanimously that free speech in America had suffered the severest blow since the foundation of the Republic. Craig declared his willingness to go to gaol, but his friends appealed to President Coolidge, who remitted the sentence upon the advice of Mr H. M. Daughert'y (Attorney-General), who, however, scathingly attacked Craig and advised that the remission was made only because. Now York City would be the sufferer from the lack of Craig's services.