Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-18
POLICE COURT CROWDED
NEED OF NEW BUILDING AND
BETTER FACILITIES.
Fifty-Two Men in Three Small Rooms
The Offenders and Penalties
They Incurred.

The fact that the present Police Court
building is entirely unsuitable for the pur-
pose for which it is used was, it is claimed.
clearly demonstrated this morning. Dur
ing the forty-eight hours ending at clock
this morning the police of the several pre-
cincts made POI arrests, and a result
what Is described as a very bad condition
of affairs existed at the gray-colored build
ing at<the northeast corner Of 9Th and D
streets northwest. Out of the number who
were arrested 133 secured their release
after being taken into custody by deposit
ing collateral for their appearance in
court. The sixty-eight who were without
friends and minus money were compelled
to remain in the station houses until trans
ferred to the court. where they were placed
in cells to await the opening of court
Fffty-two men We're crowded into three
small, insanitary cells, the cement floors OF
which were slippery with moisture The
only opening in the cells is the door. and
effort to get a breath of fresh air. All
were not successful. however, it being only
the stronger who occupied the space in
front of the doors.
The women. sixteen in number. had no
| complaint to make, having occupied better
quarters.
When court opened the prisoners were
herded together in the dock. and when their
names were called 1t was necessary to use
foot ball tactics to fight their way to the
front.
In the lower court room the same cOndi-
ton of affairs existed as regards the
crowd. The seating capacity of the room
was taxed to its utmost, and people stood
around the walls three and four deep. The
atmospheric conditions were described as
bad In the extreme. The overflow extended
into the hallway. where Policeman Flynn
was employed in keeping passageway to
the door leading to the street.
Large Amount of Collateral.
The collateral deposited by the I33 per-
sons who were released amounted to nearly
$500. Fifty-eight of them took the alterna-
tive and forfeited Their security.
I'm not sure, but 1 don't think I'm
guilty, was the answer made by Joseph
Bailey, colored, whe was called on to plead
to charge of misconduct.
Il was near the corner of Sth and M
streets northwest about l O'Clock Sunday
morning when l heard some one snoring
Mounted Policeman Walsh reported to
Judge Kimbau
Where he In house. sleeping with
the WINDOW open? Prosecutor Pugh asked.
mo, sir: he was stretched out on the
sidewalk fast asleep. a short distance from
where was standing"
'Did you have much trouble in arOuSing
himc the prosecutor asked.
Yes. sir; and he wanted to do me up"
the officer replied
Your honor. just got back to town
after carrying two tons of coal to Fort
Myer." Bailey explained, .'and I stopped
there on the curbstone to rest. and"
DID you carry the coal over on your
back Mr.. Pugh interrupted
NO sir; l did 1t in the proper way"
Bailey replied. a.
Just look at this Bailey said. taking a
piece OF paper from his pocket. It
Is 1t permit to sleep on the sidewalk p
the prosecutor suggested, In an inquiring
tone.
No. it proves that work for a living"
Had you been drinking?" Judge Kimban
asked.
L only had three, he. answered.
That's the cause of your being in trou-
ble.' the court told him, land it will cost
you $40 or thirty days
Ella Temples Pow-Wow.
Ella was holding pow-wow by her
self in Union court last night. Policeman
Turner reported after Ella Temple, color
ed, had pleaded not guilty to a charge of
d1sorderly conduct
what's a pow-wow? MIR. Pugh said to
the officer. s.Is ~
She was profance and trying to find
some one to quarrel with her.
Your honor. went to see LADY friend
last night, and when went into the house
saw that she used milk can for
stove and it made me laugh" Ella ex-
plaiied.
Are you sure that's all?" Judge Kimban
asked.
Yes. SIR
Five dollars or fifteen days"
Matthew Anderson. charged with assault
ing James Bigham. forfeited SO.
Richard ]. Proctor. charged with SINH
lar offense on Dean Swift, forfeited like
amount.
+ Otto Zirn took the alternative and for
feited $40 rather than appear in court and
explain why he attacked William Farmer.
John W. Taylor a huckster admitted
that he engaged in business without a IL
cense. He paid a fine of so imposed by
Judge Kimball
Robert Kaiser forfeited S. for playing
ball ON the street. Frederick Stock gave
up similar sup for violating the speed