The San Francisco call., 1903-12-11

to pose in the dual capacity Of accused
and attorney. His tout ensemble was
so widely at variance with the personal
makeup of the average Police Court
defendant O. pleader that his stately
entree compelled admiration, as we'll as
curiosity. A tall, well-knit figure, cor
rectly coated, trousered and booted,
with the upper portion of the frock coat
unbuttoned sufficiently to expose a see
tion of fauitlessly fitting vest and a
severe combination of snowy linen and
sable necktie; a face of typical British
roundness and ruddiness, fanked on
each side by a carefully combed gray
whisker of the style variously and ir-
reverently classified as "Dundrearies, 4"
mutton chops,' "sideboards" and
"sluggers' was H. Digby John
ston, former London barrister, now
practicing lawyer and naturalized cit
izen of the United States, as he faced
the charge of obstructing public
thoroughfare entered against him By
Policeman John Kramer.
The officer stated that on Wednesday
evening his attention was attracted by
a crowd surrounding the entrance to
clothing store on Kearny street, be-
tween Bush and Sutter, and the cause
of it's being, he ascertained, was a boy
colt of the store by certain dissatisfied
employees and the efforts of them and
numerous sympathizers to persuade the
general public from purchasing goods
therein While the boycott itself did
ence, the fact that those operating it
were obstructing the sidewalk induced
him to order them to move on an
order which was obeyed he said, by all
except the defendant, who was no less
conspicuous in the throng than in the
court When the witness attempted to
enforce his command by clutching Mr..
Johnston's arm, that gentleman said,
in naughty tone, "Unhand me. sir"
and with equal hauteur demanded the
policeman's number, raised his cane as
if to strike, and also uttered the words,
You dirty dog" Whereupon he was
arrested and charged as hereinbefore
noted.
A witness named Stevens corroborat-
ed the policeman's story to the extent
of stating that when he was ordered
to move on Mr.. Johnston "got on his
dignity" The defendant hoisted to his
nose a pair OF gold-rimmed glasses and
asked the policeman if he, the defend
ant. had refused to respect the law as
represented by him, the policeman.
"Oh, you got on your dignity and
wouldn't move" replied the complain
ant.
Got on my dignity, eh?7 You swear
got on my dignity, eh?N
'I do.p was the calm response.
Then, turning TO the bench, Mr..
Johnston declared he had been ''abused
frightfully' by the officer. Having once
served as a magistrate himself, he said
Indeed, having been chairman of a
board of London magistrates would
ask if it were likely that he would re-
sist a policeman so long as that police
man acted within his authority? Nc,
and again and again, nos The fact of
the matter, as. related by Mr.. Johnston,
was that while indulging in a post
prandial stroll on Kearny street he
saw the crowd and.realizing that it did
not represent an organized movement
he started in to obtain the names of its
leading spirits, with a view to prose-
cutting them in the event thai the pro-
prietors of the boycotted establish
ment should decide to prosecute.
Then this policeman came along"
said Mr.. Johnston, and abused me
most detestably. didn't refuse to
move on, but did protest against be-
ing unnecessarily abused
"As there is radical conflict of what.
seems to be reliable testimony in this
CASE deereed the Judge, II will take
it under advisement till morrow" =
Cant you dispose of it now?" in
quired the defendant. allowing his
glasses to drop from his nose.
NAY, nay" replied the court
Mr.. Johnston gathered up his law
books, adjusted his spectacles and sal
lied forth,