Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-08
Facilities for Emergency
Cases in the Police Court.
AN APPEAL TO CONGRESS
Judges to Ask for an Appropriation
for Services of Extra
Official.

Judges a. II. Mullowny and James L.
Pugh Of the Police Court are considering
plan for supplying the police and the
public with facilities for getting emer-
Sency warrants and giving bond al night.
1t Is question that has been discussed
from time TO time by local authorities,
and the judges have made up their minds
to ask Congress for the necessary ap-
preparation to provide such facilities
They will ask for an appropriation OF
*l.WD on S1,aO to provide clerk for
night duty at the court. the hours of
service and other details to be settled
after the appropriation is made.
II is an excellent move In the right di-
rectlon. said Maj. Sylvester. superintend-
ent OF police, to a Star reporter last even
ing. and it is something that is greatly
needed 1t calls for such a small appro-
prlation that l cannot see how the request
OF the Judges will meet with anything
other than hearty approval
PoIlce officials and others have eX-
perlenced much trouble in years past
IN getting warrants after hours in
emergency cases. while persons arrest
ed and their attorneys have had trouble
and delay in giving bond 1t is not
that the court clerks are not willing
10 serve them after hours. but it is
not always an easy matter to find
clerk at night. especially when he is
wanted in a hurry.
Instances Are Cited
Many times the police have experienced
trouble and delay in cases where persons
wanted for alleged crime had fed the
jurisdiction and been arrested, and. &C
cord to the police, such delays sometimes
interfere with, in some cases. defeat the
ends of justice. Persons arrested are. en-
titled TO release without ioI2U
and the only way it can be accomplished.
the police say. is by having some person
on hand at night who is authorized to
take the recOgniZance.
Maj. sylvester stated last night that it
was through the interest taken by the
police department that the judges of the
Municipal Court were given authority to
issue warrants. This change made mat
tiers better. but the conditions will be
greatly improved If the request that is
to be made by the judges is granted.
Clerks of the Police Court are on duty
from 9 o'clock in the morning until
O'Clock in the afternoon. During the
other hours of the day and night comes
the trouble to the police in getting war
rants in emergency cases, and the ap-
pointment Of clerk to be duty at
night would relieve the situation. Such
an employee would not be kept busy, it is
true; but he might we'll assist in relieving
the day force to some extent.
Work Of Courts Increases.
1t is stated that the work of the two
courts has increased very much in recent
years and the present clerical force is not
always able to keep the work up to date.
clerk on duty at night, it is pointed out.
could assist in keeping the records. His
work could be performed when he would
not have many Interruptions, and much
work could be accomplished by him.
Inspector Boartlman, chief of detectives.
and. members of his corps are heartily in
favor of the move the judges are to take
i'm the; direction of improving the service
at the court. They are the ones who ap-
preciate the necessity for service at night,
having occasion from time to time to get
warrants and to attend to other business
after the regular hours of court, and they
sincerely hope Congress will act favorably
upon the request of the judges.