Evening star., 1901-11-16
Recommendation That One Be Estab-
lished at Each Station House.
VIEWS OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Purpose of System is to Relieve
Police Court of Congestion.
ADVANTAGES POINTED OUT

The recent appointment by the President
OF the ten justices Of the peace provided
Ior the District of Columbia under the new
code OF laws, which will go into effect jan
uary next, has revived the subject of 4
system OF magistrates courts to be held at
the precinct station houses Of the District
eacn morning and afternoon, If need be.
IL Is said that the new justices, who are
TO receive salary of $1,000 a year, could
easily attend to the police branch Of the
business. 1t is not intended. of course,
that the magistrates holding court at the
station houses. shaff try cases of serious
import involving the use of jury in the
determination. But in minor cases and
complaints, and for the purpose of fixing
bonds for persons waving examination
and held for the grand jury, the justices
could easily and quickly dispose Of the
business.
Major Richard Sylvester, the superintend-
ent OF police, is very earnest advocate of
law which will provide for magistrate
trials at the police stations, and has made
recommendations to that end in all of his
recent reports to the Commissioners. The
advantages to be gained through such a
system, ne points out, are many and va
rleo. Inc congestion of business at pres
ent at the two branches of the Police Court
is marked. often requiring officers and wit
nesses to remain there the whole day
awaiting the trial of cases In which they
are interested. 1t is not Major Sylvester's
pan 10 40 away with the Police Court but
10 mold that tribunal free for the trial O.
jury cases. 1t is suggested in other quar-
ters that II the magistrate law should be
adopted and the pressure at the Police
Court building relieved thereby, the neces-
slty Tor a new building, which is now ur-
with. '
Maj. Sylvester's Recommendation
Major Sylvester's latest report on the mat
ter Is interesting. and reads as follows:
"A subject heretofore given attention by
thls department and which materially con-
Germs the welfare Of the citizen, is that of
Folce Court trials. AS time advances and
surroundings change the necessity for i'm
provement in the system is more apparent
inose interested have only to investigate
Tor themselves to know the awkwardness
which attends the situation so far as the
police are concerned. Last year members
or the force were detained at the Police
Court awaiting hearing of cases until after
II O'Clock am. in ,S56 instances. Not In
frequently is there an arrest made during
the after hours of the night and the mem
Der OF the force making 1t is not only re-
CURED to remain on the street until after
q o'clock in the morning to finish his tour
OF DUTY, but he must repair to the Police
Court without rest, perhaps without break
fast, and there remain until his case is
tileo. he merchant or professional man
may be taken from his business as a wit
ness A prisoner may be acquitted. but
he has been transported in van or patrol
wagon from the police station to the court
after being confined in a cell for several
hours, all embarrassing and unbusiness-
like.
Suggested Remedy.
ITO remedy this situation 1t is proposed
that magistrates shall determine cases at
the several station houses every morning
and evening. These officers should each
have a clerk and keep a docket. Under
such circumstances the prisoner would be
disposed of promptly, and the witnesses
and members Of the force avoid delays.
The determination of such cases ought not
to interfere with the magistrates giving at
tention to civil questions at other than
allotted police hours, and the present Police
Court could be maintained for the trial of
jury cases. Such law would provide for
magistrates hearings Of this class of cases
is recommended, and procedure Of the
kind would obviate the establishment of
a children's court, as all charges against
children under sixteen years Of age and
females secured at the house of deten-
tion would be tried at that institution, as
would be others at the several station
houses.
while inviting attention to this subject
1t is proper to refer to the embarrassment
which very often follows important trials
at the Police Court through the want Of
provision for taking testimony in short
hand, and it is urged that stenographer
be provided for that branch Of the District
judiciary. It is regarded as necessary by
this department., which Is as much con-
cerned at times as Is the court itself The
want is fully appreciated by the police to
the extent, at least; as warrants reference
to the matter in this report"