The Washington times., 1902-04-05
Watching Carefully Out
come of ProSeCu-
tiOnS.
WANTS VIOLATORS PUNISHED
Ended Agreement Reached Between At
torneys to Abandon All Other Suits
Against Washington Traction Com
pany If Pending Case Was Lost.

In his argument for the defence on
Thursday in the anti-smoke law case then
on trial in the Police Court. in which Mr.
Lindley E. Sinclair, general manager and
su1er.ntendent Of TIE Washington Trac-
tion and Electric Company, was charged
with violating the law at the power mouse
of the United States Electric Lighting
Company. Judge Cole made the statement
that a higher power than the District
Commissioners was behind the smoke law
prosecutions.
The statement created considerable
comment among attorneys and others VINO
heard it. Later IL was learned that Presi-
dent Roosevelt is greatly interestd in the
crusade against smoke, and that he
watches carefully for the result OF each
case tried in the Police Court.
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 Z. 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, 1t is said and he at once put
the stamp of condemnation upon the COM
pact.
1t 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-
Qussting them to inform the Government S
attorneys in charge Of these prosecutions
that no matter what the result of the
case reforred to 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 Executive Man.
zion was promptly impartod to Messrs.
Edward H. Thomas and James L. Pugh,
Assistant City Solicitors, who have had
the suits In hand. and they have Informed
Mr. J. ]. Darlington and Judge c. C. Cole,
attorneys, for Mr. Sinclair, that the agree
ment mentioned must be broken.
There ale still ten suits pending against
the United States Electric Lighting Com
pany, and twenty-three against the
street railway corporations connected
with the Washington traction establish
the attention of the Police Court. 1t is
predicted that 1t will take months to get
rid of all Of them, and in the meantime
others will be piiing up.
While this action on the part Of the
President would naturally leave the infer
ence that he is an anti-smoke advocate,
there is doubt in the minds Of many on
this point. 1t has frequently been assert
ed that the war now being waged on
smoke makers is the direct outcome of a
purpose to make the anti-smoke law so
unpopular that ii would become dead
letter. II Is hinted that the President
may not be the ardent supporter Of this
law that his alleged action in the premi-
ses seems to indicate, and that he sees in
relentless prosecution the quickest and
surest way to bring about its repeal or
modification.
Thinks Penalties Too Small.
Another instance of President Roose-
velt's deep interest in District affairs is
said to be shown In a communication he
fs alleged to have recently forwarded to
the Commissioners concerning the police
courts He is said to possess much knowl-
edge of the limit of fines allowed by law
for offences, big and little, for which
persons may be punished in this tribunal.
and that he has expressed dissatisfaction
with what he deems assessments entirely
too light for sins charged and proven.
Mr. Lindley E. Sinclair. general man
ager and superintendent OF the Washing
ton Traction and Electric Company.
charged with violating the anti-smoke law
at one of the plants of that corporation,
namely, the United States Electric Light
ing powerhduse, located on Fourteenth
Street northwest, on February 25, was
convicted by jury in the District branch
OF the Police Court yesterday.
An exception 10 the form of the find
ing was taken by Judge Cole, counsel for
Mr. Sinclair and 1t is probable that the
ease will he spuealed