Atlanta Daily World

MEMPHIS, Tenn.

White-haired sixty-four years old Dr. J. M. Wiley (white) was fined $25 in circuit court by Judge Hammer Tuesday after a hearing in which he was charged with attempting to discuss a case out of court with J. Seldon Allen while a juror last week, which caused him to be held in contempt.

The Venerable doctor was qualified as a juror in the case of Ernest Fincher of Charlotte, N. C., against the Chickasaw Wood Products company for $50,000 for injuries received when Fincher was hit on the head while unloading a carload of barrels. As the trial recessed Tuesday afternoon the jurors were instructed to discuss the case with no one.

Question on Mind:

Before court time next morning Dr. Wiley went to the office of Mr. Allen who is an attorney apparently with a weighty question on his mind. All of the principals in this case are white. However. Dr. Wiley had sat on cases before one of which involved Negro suing the city. He is alleged to have told the attorney "That he was not a prejudiced man. that he had served on a jury which returned a verdict for $50,000 against the Murray Woods Products Company. but that another time he was on a jury which returned a verdict for the city in a damage suit brought by a Negro who fell in a hole."

Dr. Wiley is then alleged to have asked "what would be the defense of a Tennessee Corporation sued by a non-resident for injuries received when hit on the head by a barrel while unloading a car?"

The judge found the physician guilty of contempt to uphold the dignity of the court, though it was apparent he meant no to be maliciously in contravention to instructions.

Recalls Story

The doctor recalled an incident some years ago in which some barrel headings fell on a man while unloading and he has always felt as if they should have done something for that man. The case of the Negro denied damages was also fresh on his mind and evidently led to the charges filed by lawyer Allen as friend of the court.