The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-11
Citizens Directing to Delay
In Starting New Ar
rangement.
TWO REASONS GIVEN
FOR DISAPPOINTMENT
Real Estate Men With Suits Wait
ing Claim That Excuses Are
Insufficient.

Vigorous protests are being registered
by citizens in all parts OF the District
against the unusual delay ia getting in
motion the legal machinery of the new
Municipal Court, which includes the
jurisdictions Of the present six justices
of the peace.
This court was established by act
OF Congress near the close of last sea-
son. and it has as its object the cNlsol-
tdation of these justices courts so that
their cases may be handled quickly and
inexpensively
The law establishing the new court
became effective February II. when
President Roosevelt signed the iii. but
no cases have since been tried under
the new arrangement.
The justices say the delay is dtle to
two reasons; First, because the Money
with which TO begin the work dill not
become available until the Pres l1ent
signed the District appropriation bill
on March 3; and, second, because the
building on John Marshall place where
the Municipal Court will make its fu-
ture home is not ready for occupancy.
This building, the former residence of
Senator Morgan. will probably not be
ready for another week.
Many dissatisfied.
The explanation, however is not sat
isfactory to the large number OF land
lords and property owners who are
eager 10 have settled numerous pro-
posed suits against delinquent tenants.
They take the ground that the justices
should, while waiting for the repairs
on the building in John Marshall place
10 be completed, be trying those suits
that are ready for docket. Such action
they say, is not only necessary IN the
interest OF the public generally. but
would avoid overcrowdlng the docket
of the new court.
b. +. Saul, real estate broker, of Sew
enth and L streets northwest, is one
who complains against what he saws
seems to be unreasonable delay in put
ting the machinery of the new court
IN motion. He does not believe anv
reasonable excuse exists, but contends
tnat some provision should have been
mace by the six justices TO carry on the
cases which real estate men and prop
eIty owners are so anxious TO have
settied- Mr.. Saul says:
Il have been informed that tba ms
llces mold that fees in suits coming un-
DER their jurisdiction cannot be legally
collected until the clerk of the mimi
clpal Court has qualified. In my opin-
ION, however, the justices themselves
could collect these fees, if that Is ali
that prevents them from holding court
Ihis delay has caused me, and a good
many other real estate men of nv ac-
Quaintance, considerable ANNOYANCE he
cause Of the numerous proposed suits
th2t are being held up. There are be-
tween twenty and thirty of these suits
waiting in my office 10 be filed, and Il
If probable that before the Municipal
Court does open there will be several
more Other business men are in the
same fix, and I am sure all of US would
Ike TO get action in this matter"
Others Complaining.
other real estate men and property
owners who have suits similar TO be filed
are Floyd z. Davis, a real estate broker.
/ of Seventh and streets southwest;
John Quinn, real estate broker, of AL
Seventh street southwest, and James F.
Shea, real estate broker. OF 6s3 LOuisi-
ana avenue. The complaints Of Mr..
Saul and Mr.. Shea were aired al a
meeting Of the Chamber OF Commerce
on Monday night, when II was suggest
ed that the justices, If they were pre-
vented from holding court only for the
reason that they had no quarters. use
the rooms Of the Chamber for that
purpose until the building on John Mar
shall place was in readiness
Justice Terrill, Of the Sixth district,
said today that he did not think il rea-
sonable for the justices TO be expected
10 DeBlu SUITS unIll the equipment OF
the new court was ready.
There was naturally some little de-
lay" he said, because the money TO
put the new court IN operation did not
become available until the District ap-
preparation bill was signed on March
?. although the law establishing the
court became effective on February IT.
II may be well 10 explain also that
the dockets Of the justices are clear
Of cases. because the clerk Of the court,
AIR. Aukam. who assigns the suits with
the various justices, has not acted
up TO this time, as far as 7 am in
formed.