Evening star., 1902-03-22
CHANGES ADVOCATED
ATTORNEYS WANT OFFICES OF
JUSTICES OF PEArE RELOCATED.
Hearing Given 1oda9 Before Supreme
Court Of the District in
General Term.

The Supreme Court oe the District OF CO.
lumbia, sitting in eeneeal term. with CHIEF
Justice Bingham ;and Justices Hagner,
Bradley, Clabaugh,- Barnard and Anderson,
the entire court, on the bench, today gave
hearing on the proposition to relocate the
offices Of the local justices Of the peace and
to change the bounds Of the subdistricts to
which such magistrates are at present as
signed. 1t was cited as an example OF ex-
listing conditions that during the month of
January Of this year. Justice Hewlett at
Anacostia, was called upon to try seven
cases. while Justice O'Neill. at 800 7th street
southwest was required to handle 800 cases.
The salary and allowances of the justices
OF the peace are the same. no matter what
amount of business is transacted.
The location Of the offices and subdis-
tricts Of the several Justices of the peace
at present are follows: Subdistrict No. 1,
Justice Of the Peace Bundy, Fendall build
ing, opposite city hall; No. 2, Justice Mills,
14th street near p street; No. 3, Justice
Church, 1st and streets; No. 4, Justice
Strider. 80 East Capitol street; No. 8, JUS
tice O'Neill, 500 7th street southwest No. 6.
Justice Webb, 10Th street and. Pennsyi-
vania avenue; No. z, Justice Paine, sd and
0 streets; No. 8. Justice Terrell, Bright.
wood avenue and Pomeroy street; No ~
Justice Callan, lexington; No. 10, Justice
Hewlett, Anacostia.
1nconvenient to Lawyers.
The locations Of the offices as given has
been found to be inconvenient by many
members Of the bar, real estate dealers and
others who frequently have business be-
fore magistrates. The Bar Association sew
eral weeks ago appointed a special COM
mittee, consisting Of Mr.. B. F. Leighton.
chairman and Messrs. A. s. Worthington,
John Ridout, Wharton e. Lester and
Michael ]. Colbert, to investigate the mat
ter and frame a report. The result was
the proposition submitted to the court to-
day, that the offices and subdistricts be re-
located. 1t was stated that the propos-
ton has the Endorsement not only OF the
bar, but Of the real estate exchange and
Of the majority Of the Justices OF the
peace.
The suggestion was made that the sub
districts be altered so that the offices OF
all the justices Of the peace. with the ex-
ception Of Justice Paine, may be located In
the section bounded by Sd street on the
east. 18th street on the west, G street on
the north and Pennsylvania avenue on the
south, all In the northwest part of the city.
The idea is not to change the subdiStrlct
west Of Rock creek nor to relocate Justice
Paine, who is satisfactorily established at
the intersection Of 32d and o streets.
The Arguments Advanced.
The hearing in court today was opened
ostion, saying 1t was approved by the
United States marshal for the District OF
Columbia. Mr.. Lester, who followed, made
a statement Of alleged inequalities In busi-
ness resulting from the present location of
the magistrates offices. A map, prepared
in the marshal's office showing the points
where it is desired the offices shall be es-
tablished. was presented by Mr.. Lester.
Mr.. Worthington gave brief history Of
leading lePiSla O.
garding justices OF the peace. He agreed
in the main with the proposition of the Bar
Associations committee. The next speaker
was Mr.. William B. Robson. chief deputy
marshal. He pointed out the inequalities
which his Office had found In the number
Of cases before the different justices, and
made a general statement In regard to the
relocation Of the Offices which he consid
ers to be very desirable. Mr.. 6. w. F.
Swartzell informed the court that, the prop
osition is approved by the real estate ex-
change.
Chief Justice Bingham stated that the
court will give the matter very careful
consideration and announce its decision
later.