Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-14
IN THE NEW BUILDING
Police Court in Strictly Up-to-
Date Quarters.
BRIEF SPEECHES BY JUDGES
Large Crowd at the Opening Sessions
This Morning.
LACK OF SEATS a DRAWBACK
Congress Urged to Provide for Pur-
chase of Furniture-First Case
in Each Branch.
LACK OF SEATS a DRAWBACK

Hear ye hear we, hear ye. All persons
having business before the honorable judge
of the Police Court of the District of Co
lumba will draw nigh and give their at
tention. This court is now in session.
With these words uttered by Bailiff Hop
kins in the District branch and by Bailiff
West in the United States branch. the
Police Court began its first session in the
new building at 9Th and D streets north
west today. The opening day was big
one, many officers having cases before the
court. Consequently there was big crowd
of witnesses and OF visitors to the new
quarters and the building was given
thorough house warming"
1t was a stand-up court. On account of
the small amount of furniture that was
available and the inability to get new in
time for the opening day. the witnesses in
the court rooms were re.egated to the
standing space in the open. There were
chairs for about twenty in the District
branch of the court, but the United States
branch did not fare SO well. 1t was the
mos. informal session that has been held
for some time and the bailiffs had their
troubles in preserving quiet
Sixty-one prisoners were in the new cells
to dedicate the new building. They were
collected from the various precinct sta
tons by Policemen J. T Hatton and James
Hopper and We're turned over to Policemen
Hutchinson and Smith at court who have
charge of the United States and the District
Der was large, the eight cells for each
branch of the court Accommodated them
easily.
First Case Dispo-ed Of.
Shorty after o'clock the witnesses in
the various cases began to arrive. the early
ones being police officers. Policeman Moran
of the fifth precinct was first on hand, and
he found D. E. Langley, assistant to AS
sistant Corporation Counsel James L. Pugh,
at his desk the first floor of the court.
officer Moran swore to an information
charging Robert Fitzgerald with vagrancy,
he having been arrested on Sth street
southeast Saturday night.
Prosecuting Attorney Ralph Given was
on hand early and Policeman Moran also
presented the first case before him. He
charged Benjamin Thomas. colored, with
keeping a disorderly house at 6J4 Navy
place southeast.
The United States branch of the court
began at 9:45 o'clock. new custom was
inauSulated with the entrance into the new
building. that of having all in the court
room stand when the judge takes the bench
and until the court is declared to be in
session. Judge A. r. Mullowny mounted
the bench in the United States Court and
Judge Mullowny's Talk.
Then Judge Mullowny made a few re-
marks
Before we proceed with the regular bust
ness of the court he said, II wish to con-
graduate the District people that they have
provided for them such a handsome struc-
ture and to apologize to the public for the
apparent lack of facilities for their con-
venience-that is, for the lack of furniture.
We hope Congress VII do the right and
proper thing in providing furniture. Until
that body does carry bill through for an
appropriation for new furniture, however,
l must apologize for the lack of it.
AS the judge concluded he called for the
first case. Prosecuting Attorney Ralph
Given then arose and said:
Il also am pleased to be in such build
ing, and join in the congratulations. l
hope every one will appreciate its cleanli
ness and will strive to keep it just as nice
as it is now.
Benjamin Thomas Arraigned.
Benjamin Thomas, charged with keeping
disorderly house. was the first prisoner
arraigned. He had been arrested by Sergt.
Ellsworth and Policemen Moran and Ed
wards. The first witness to testify in the
new court was colored Methodist preacher
from the southeast section of the city Rev
Willis ]. Pennington. He told the court
by Thomas and that he heard disorder in
that house many nights.
When called upon to testify in his own be-
half Thomas stated that he had friends
who came around to see him frequently in
the evening and that they had good time
Have you ever been in iail?' Judge Null
lownv asked him.
Not in the last eighteen years" was the
reply.
Twenty dollars or sixty days" Judge
Mullowny declared. as the first sentence
imposed in the new court.
Judge Kin,ball Pleased.
In the District branch Judge Kimball
presided and on the bench beside him sat
United States Commissioner Arson S. Tay-
lor, who has acted judge over the court
on many previous occasions. Bailiff Hop
kins opened the court and called the col
lateral list.
Il suppose it would be seemly for me to
say word at this time in contamination.
about this beautiful structure which we
occupy for the first time today" began
Judge Kimball. 1T is now the most beau
tiful court room in the District. There is
one thing lacking and the crowd standing
up in the rear of the court room have
found out what that is-furniture. | have
the promise Of the committee of Congress
which has the matter in charge, and /
hope to get furniture suited to the new
building and its fine appurtenances. But
We are grateful for what we have.
AT this time my mind revertss back to
Judge Scott. He wanted the new court
house. but on account of his physical all
ments he was unable to do as much as he
would have liked to do for the building.
l am sorry he was taken from us and that
he cannot see what l see before me to-
day.
I'm moving into the new quarters it will
take a little time 10 get the details ar
ranged. But l hope the machinery will
be running smoothly soon. l have room
set aside for the lawyers of the court
which ! hope to furnish out of the funds
yet 10 be provided There will also be a
room for the reporters, where they can
write up their articles and where they can
have a telephone and direct communica-
ton with the office. We hope to have an
up-to-date court in every particular, where
the lawyers. witnesses, officials of the
court and others will have proper conven-
fences.
His honor next turned to Judge TAYLOR
and asked for a speech.
Nothing Except Congratulations.
~ can say nothing except a word of con-
graduation. l go back to the old
court room On c street when there was
confusion worse COMPOUNDED. When Judge
Kimball tells you that he has the most
complete court in the District, he could go
on farther. For my experience with courts