New-York tribune., 1912-02-04

tendance in court at 81 90 and five cents
a mile transportation each way to court.
Since the law was passed economic condi-
tions have changed radically; the cost of
living has gone up and the cost Of trans
Iortaton has gone down. Half a century
ago a man could live quite genteely on
81 so a day. while he could save little on
transportation at five cents a mile. To-
day the living allowance is inadequate,
hut the travelling allowance enables wit
ness. If he comes a long distance. to gain
a considerable amount. witness from
the Pacific Coast is about $50 ahead Of
actual expenses. II trial were OF short
duration he would not lose anything and
might gain a few yellowbacks. But in the
case Of a long trial his living expenses
swallow up transportation profits and more
THE "HoTEL DE ToMBs.'
The Hotel De Tombs, otherwise the city
prison. is occasionally used as a house Of
detention for federal witnesses who might
be inclined TO disappear If federal wit
ness who had no desire TO decamD but
could not live outside on the government
allowance could manage 10 get himself ar
IeSltQ anu put Ill Iuc iOiibo HS "CN'N
obtain not only free board and lodging,
but stipend OF 81 day. None of the
former guests Of the Tombs are enthus-
astic over 1t as hosiery, yet the idea Of
living there for nothing and getting 81 a
day besides must appeal strongly to har-
assed witnesses 1t is conceivable that
witness might live quite high in the Tombs
by spending his daily dollar for extra food
and small luXuries.
If federal witnesses find hardship in
their stipends and allowances witnesses in
state. county and city courts have greater
ground for complaint. At least their rec
ompense is still less; in some courts there
is no recompense at all for the loss of a
mans time, which may be worth TO him
s. to $40 a day.
'In the Supreme Court and in General
Sessions witnesses get 30 cents day,
said Chief Clerk Sayer Of the District At
torncy's office. "There IS an allowance
besides of four cents mileage each way
for distances more than three miles from
the Criminal Courts Building. We have a
map showing the three-mile limit in "a
circle around the courthouse. We give
the benefit Of the doubt TO a witness who
lives close 10 the line. Mileage and wit
ness fees proper come out OF the county
funds. but we have q contingent fund 10
nav extra expenses of witnesses and trans
portation beyond the state line. We DO
NOT often bring witnesses here from dis
tance and keep them for any length OF
time When they do come from distance
we nave the case set peremptorily on q
certain day so that delay may be avoided.
! of course. we cannot compel the attend
once of out-of-state witnesses, like the
federal government. They must come vol
| unfairly. II necessary we pay their actuai
expenses of travel and hotel bills. There
/ &c no set limit to hotel expenses OF VIII
ness. II is recognized that man accus~
toned to stopping at the Auditorium or
the Bellevue stratford could not be ex-
pected To stay here in Bowery hotei'
hut IL the bill becomes too inflated the con-
,roller is likely TO cut it down or refuse
10 audit 1t at all.
"There are no witness fees at all IN the
Court of Special Sessions, where there are
as many as two hundred witnesses In daliy
attendance. This is a hardship Withou'
| ouestion Half a dollar a day is "a sihal
sum. vet il means a lot 10 the many poor
neople who lose time in the Court Oh ope
cial Sessions IL is true that large mum
! her of those who are entitled 10 witness
saos do not collect them. Sometimes they
come back six months after case
ended and collect fees. The iaiiure " coz
lect can hardly be due to Ignorance siie'