The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1908-12-10
Magistrate Barlow Tells Legis-
lative Committee About Pro-
feSsional Bondsmen.
/ HITS AT THE "RUNNERS."
Describes the Wretched and
Unsanitary Conditions in
Many of the Courts.

CITY Magistrate Peter r. Barlow was
10 witness to-day before the Legislative
Committee that is investigating the in
fsrior courts.
The Magistrate criticized the eondi-
lions and lack of sanitary arrange
n,ents in the police courts. He said the
chief objection to the Tombs Police
Court was the danger of escape by
prisoners when arraigned there.
The prison" he said. is too far
away from the court. and prisoners
must pass through the crowded court
room, where they may he aided TO es-
cape; such things have happened.
"The ACCOMMODATIONS OF Jefferson
Market Court are entirely inadequate
for the proper care of prisoners. At
times in the Night Court at Jefferson
Market Court, the prisoners cannot be
provided for in the prison. and they
must be herded like cattle In the prison
yard until their cases are disposed OF.
room door is a great annoyance to all
In the courtroom.
Conditions In Other Courts.
Essex Market has long been laugh
ing stock. The prisoners are held in
small pens, In foul, unsanitary and
dark cellar. where health is endangered.
Tho courtroom is not At for It's purpose.
.'Yorkyille Court, IN East Fifty
: seventh street, LIS kept IN good sani-
tary condition. but better provisions
should be made to keep runners and
'steerers' from reaching the prisoners.
1t should be made impossible for any
ono to reach a prisoner except tbs Legal
/ " constituted officer"
,"ls not this steering Of graft largely
ii the bands OF the police ofhosrs In
Judge Mayer, counsel Tor the oommis-
'SAbsoluteiy." replied Magistrate Bar
low.
that he need not disclose names at this
time. as It might interfere With inves-
tigation OF the matter later.
What the "Runners" Do.
.can not the court omoer prevent
persons seeing prfsonerST
YES" replied Magistrate Barlow. Hs
said the runners got hold OF the pr1s-
yers when they had no need Of counsel.
81 try to protect and look after the
interests of all who como before me,
said Magistrate barlow. The masie-
trate is prosecuting attorney. defend
ants counsel and the court combined.
and there is no need OF lawyer TO
appear in many OF the cases. In the
case of Il piano player in Il dive. whom
], sent to the Island for six months, q
lawyer was paid $40 by woman friend
of the prisoner 10 get an appeal: l re-
fused 70 discs the case with the lawyer.
] think the physical conditions In York
VILE Court are not what they ought TO
lie, and IL there were proper conditions
there, the running and steering for
O. Would you advise abol!sh!ng the
Court Squad. a. ! would not.
O. Do the same attorneys In various
courts have the great mass o. business
q. And these attorneys have their
Offices in the immediate vicinity of the
oourts'. Yes.
No Offices at All.
@. And some have no Offices at all?
A Only in their hats.
Magistrate Barlow said It would not
do 10 establish the bridge in the
courts. Prisoners, witnesses, police and
magistrate in busy cOrt must be close
together 10 expedite trial Of cases.
Speaking of the dignified way in which