The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-04-04
IL Nv L L NJ
Said to Have Urged Vigor-
Gus Prosecution of
Smoke Law Cases.
ENDED ATTORNEYS AGREEMENT
Made Pointed Suggestion to
Commissioners About
the Matter.
CHANGE IN THE PROGRAMME
Each Suit Against the Washington
Traction Company Will Now Be Push
ed Whether the First Case Is Lost or
won-About Police Court Penalties.
CHANGE IN THE PROGRAMME

Few occupants Of the White House have
shown so much interest in the admins
tration Of the affairs Of the District Of
Columbia as President Roosevelt is ex-
hibiting
The President is said 10 be greatly in
terested in the prosecutions now going on
IN the Police Court Of persons accused Of
violating the anti-smoke law. and il is
stated that he watches carefully for the
result in each case
The other day The Times announced
that the attorneys for the Government
and those for the defence in certain suits
now pending in the police court had
reached an agreement that in the event
the case against Mr. Lindley E Sinclair
general manager and superintendent Of
the Washington Traction and Electric
Company, resulted adversely to the Gov
eminent, all Of the other untried suits
against the lighting company would be
abandoned.
Attracted Presidents Attention.
This item fell under the eye Of the
President. IL Is said, and he at once put
the stamp Of condemnation uron the com
Dact
It IS reported on good authority that
the President lost no time in notifying
the District Commissioners Of his strong
disapproval Of this agreement. and re-
questing them TO inform the Government
attorneys in charge Of these prosecutions
that no matter what the result Of the
case referred. 10 might be. every other
suit now pending, and every one that
might be instituted. should be determined
in court and the side OF the Government
vigorously set forth.
Prompt Action Taken.
This message from the Exc .utise Man
sion was promptly impaired 10 Messrs.
Edward II. Thomas and James L Pugh.
Assistant City Solicitors, who have had
the suits in hand, and they have informed
Ar. J. J. Darlington and Judge C. c. Cole
attorneys for Mr.. Sinclair. that the agree
ment mentioned must be broken
There are still ton suits pending against
the United States Electric Lighting Com
Dany, and twenty-three against the
street railway corporations connected
with the Washington traction estat..sh-
ment and each in turn viii now occupy
the attention OF the Police Court II is
predicted that IL sill take months 10 get
rid Of all Of them. and in the meantime
others will be piling up.
Judge Cole Gives Hint.
The action Of the President, it is al
legged, leaked out yesterday. after Judge
Cole had addressed the jury in the Police
Court in a suit against MIR. Sinclair He
said during his remarks. that there was
a higher power than the Commissioners
behind the anti-smoke crusade Judge
Cole, II is said. had been told that his
and Mr.. Darlmgton's understanding with
the Governments attorneys in regard TO
the quashing OF proceedings in other SINH
lar suits must be vacated.
While this action on the part OF the
President would naturally leave the infer
ence that he is an anJi-smoke advocate.
there is doubt IN the minds Of many on
this point. II has frequently been assert
I'd that the war now being waged on
smoke makers is the direct outcome Of a
purpose TO make the anu-smoke law so
unpopular that fl would become a dead
letter. It is limited that the President
may not be the ardent supporter Of this
Law that his alleged action in the premi-
Ees seems 10 indicate. and that he sees in
relentless prosecution the quickest and
burest way 70 bring about its repeal or
mobilization.
Thinks Penalties Too Small.
Another instance Of President Roose-
yelt's deep interest in District affairs is
said 20 be shown in communication he
Is alleged 20 have recently forwa. ded 20
the Commissioners concerning the police
courts. He is said 20 possess much lnowl-
edge Of the limit of aGes allowed by law
for offences, big and little, fer which
versions may be punished in this tribunal.
and that he has expressed dissatisfaction
with what he deems assessments entirely
too light for sius charged and proven.