The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-04
A DILAPIDATED BUILDING
The Old Police Court Again Patch.
ed Together.
An Unsuitable Structure Which Has
Cost I'm Repair. Many Times the
Amount Necessary 10 Erect n Com
modious and Appropriate Edidcc-
Office Room AbsurdIy Inadequate.

The poorly ventilated and almost I'M
tenable building at the corner of Sixth and
ID Streets northwest. known as the Police
Court, has again been given q new lease
of life by the application of paint, wall
paper, linoleum, and the liberal dlstribu-
ton Of lumber to re-enforce certain parts
which, through age, had become separated.
This building, which had outlived its use
fulness as church twenty years ago, has
required constant attention TO make it
habitable as court of Justice The an
nual appropriation OF $500. which was set
apart for this purpose, has been found in
adequate, and each year additional sums
have been required to repair and refurnish
the structure. AS IFS age increases it
has been found necessary TO repair more
frequently, until previous TO the recent
expenditures the interior was in dilap-
dated state, denoting approaching col
lapse.
In addition to the regular appropriation
for repairs, $500 was required TO make it
possible TO conduct the business to which
the building is devoted The clerks of
fee, the prosecuting attorneys Offices, and
one witness room have been Eewly pa
pered. II is difficult to ascertain who Sc
lected the different designs of paper used,
as everyone in the building disavows the
selection. Judge Scott viewed the work of
the paperhanger in Mr.. Pugh's office, but
declined TO express himself afterward
Thee two courtrooms presided over by
Judge Kimball and Judge Scott have been
given cream colored coat of calcimine
The floor OF the upper courtroom has been
covered with linoleum. Both judges say
that enough money has been expended on
the structure in the past TO build modern
court house.
Besides Judges Kimball and Scott and
Assistant District Attorneys Mullowny and
Pugh. the building is officially occupied by
the clerks of the courts and their assist
ants, the United States marshal for the
District OF Columbia. and the assistants to
the prosecuting attorneys. Their offices
are small and cramped, and during the
time court is in session they frequently
become so crowded that ii is a difficult
matter to transact the regular business.
The clerks Office, in the rear of the build
ing, is long and narrow. Here witnesses
receive their vouchers for fees. In the
prosecuting attorneys offices, where a
great number Of people go to air their
complaints the space is absurdly small In
these Offices Attorneys Mullowny and Pugh
dispose OF hundreds of cases which never
come before the judges. Policeman Flynn.
who Is detailed TO preserve order in the
building, has often been compelled TO use
force In the proper discharge OF his duty
These small disturbances which have oc-
Cured are said to be directly traceable TO
the small and narrow corridors and stair
ways, where people with grievances against
each other are oftentimes iostled together.
The numerous appeals which have gone
10 Congress asking for an appropriation
10 build new court house building have
so Ear been ignored. The site most fav-