The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-17

At the invitation of the judges of the
Police Court. Commissioner Mcfarland
paid visit to that local hall of justice
yesterday between the hours of and II
o'clock in the morning. In company
with Judge Kimball Mr. mcfarland
inspected all parts of the building
and was made fully acquainted with
the crowded condition of the Offices,
as well as the workings of the courts. Mr..
Macfarland sat with Judge Kimball on the
bench for about an hour and spent about
the same time with Judge Scott down
stairs.
Upon his return to the District Build
ing in conversation with a Times re-
porter, the Commissioner expressed much
interest in what he saw and heard. In
his opinion the judges and officers Of the
law are doing remarkable work in the
presence Of many inconvenience due to
the building and inadequate facilities. Mr..
Mcfarland was greatly impressed with the
antiquated character OF the building and
the lack of proper facilities for conduct
ing the business of necessity placed upon
the Police Court. The courtrooms, he
thought, were the only good things in the
building these being fairly comfortable
and suited to the purpose, but when that
is said it is about all that can be claimed
for the building.
Mr. mcfarland expressed the view that
the offices of the prosecuting attorneys
were far too small. The rooms in which
witnesses are placed until wanted in court,
he thought. We're practically disgrace TO
the District. These rooms, he said, are
small, dark, and poorly ventilated. 1t was
like stepping into a sweat-box, he thought,
to enter one of them on hot day like
yesterday. Mr. Mcfarland explained to
the reporter that witnesses were not like
prisoners. but were often the most reputa-
BILE citizens of the District, and to be shut
up in room like those provided for that
purpose was {, good deal of trial for an
ordinary man. The cells he described as
hot and dark, and yesterday the Commits
sioner said they were packed with dis
tressed and gasping humanity.
Mr.. mcfarland further said that the
building in which the Police Courts are
housed lacks the necessary conveniences
for the comfort of those engaged there.
He explained that there is no retiring room
for men in the building. In addition he
stated that the vault in which the clerks
records are kept is now full, and it is
serious question what is to be done with
these records in the future. Mr.. Macfar-
land said that he was shocked at the
crowded condition of things which he saw.
He could not have believed it unless he
had seen it with his own eyes.
The Commissioner did not in the least
blame the officials OF the court. but on
the contrary thought it was remarkable
how well they performed their duties I'M
der the circumstances. Mr.. Macfarland
said the he would seek an early oppor-
tunity to lay the matter before the
Board of Commissioners, with view OF
relieving the situation il 1t can be done.
He was not prepared yesterday even to
suggest what might be done, but he
thought that something should be at
tempted to relieve the crowded conditions
that exist in the building and which must
increase as time goes on.
After seeing the Police Court in opera
tion Mr.. Mcfarland. said he was more
than ever pleased that the judges had de-
cided to try the people from the place |
of detention after the usual business OF
the day