The San Francisco call., 1913-08-03

IF you s0dnt to kn0to h0sD Justice IS
j administered in London police
court read ichdt Gus RoedeT, American
sescspdper reporter, Cho is abroad
STUDYING Institutions, has aoritten. a
day acith. Hts Worship" aoouId seem
almost fdrcicdl to some OF our-Ameri-
can Magistrates. The cases are
mostly petty, but are considered s0ith
great seriousness.
|nOW STREET COURT is to Lon
ID don what the averags police
court is to America. l have seen
thousands arraigned in our police
courts. In order to learn how they do
things in Bow Street attended sew
eral sessions here. One thing is GER
tain. Defendants are treated with
more lenience in England than they
are at home. Here In London you
miss the politicians and ward heelers
as we'll as the steerers and others.
Another thing which impresses one
most forcibly in London is the make
up of the Bow Street audiences. In
America we find better class OF
visitors within the body OF the court
room But in London the crowd Is
much more picturesque. There are
hard faces in the rear of the room.
Most of them are poorly dressed.
Many are in rags. Their faces are
blurred. 1t Is an odd gathering.
Comparatively few prisoners are
brought to court against whom felony
charges are pending. Most are charged
with misdemeanors Drunk and dis
orderly and lettering are the principal
offenses.
Court opened at 10 o'clock In the
morning. Half an hour later the Mag
istrate mounted the bench. He wore
no silken gown, but was attired in
black. Before single prisoner Is ar
raigned those who come to apply for
summonses are first heard. The first
to put in an appearance was short,
stout, middle-aged, well-dressed man
wearing fiery-red four-in-hand tie.
"Your Worship" he declartd, II
have been most shamefully libelled by
the nasty publication of this paragraph
in the morning paper. | ask sum-
mons for the editor"
Consult solicitor!" was Che de-
cision rendered by the Magistrate.
Two cabmen were next ushered into
the crowded courtroom. No. mounted
the witness box. saying he wanted a
summons for No. 2.
Upon what srounds?' inquired
His Worship.
He called me an awful name, Your
Worship" pleaded the applicant for
Justice.
And what name did he apply to
your" demanded the Magistrate. How
am to decide unless hear the
name?"
"Your worship" replied Cabbie No.
!. he called me dirty rounder!''
you may have summons" was
the decision.
Then No. 2 went to the witness
stand. beneath wooden canopy.
Your Worship" pleaded No. 2, Il,
too, want summons But Your Wor-
ship, | can't state the frightful name
he's called me. 1t was simply shock
ing"
"YOu may have crOss-summons,
replied His Worship. The rival cab
bies left their names and addresses
with the clerk. Their cases will be
heard later in the week.
Next, the first prisoner was marched
into the courtroom and placed in the
dock. They are rather gallant in Lon
don Ladies have the preference. She
was a poorly dressed. pale-faced wom-
an. about thirty-five years old. AS she
mounted the single step leading to the
dock . policeman appeared in the wit
ness place. Witnesses must swear
themselves in Bow street The off,
Ger picked up small sized Bible.
raised it high In his right hand. and
In singsong voice called out:
Il swear before Almighty God that
will tell the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth So help
me God!"
Then without waiting to be asked
a question he continued:
Officer Wellington. No., Divi-
sion G. At about 11.45 p. M. last eve
ming. Your Worship, was on duty on
post in Drury Lane when / saw this
prisoner. saw her speak to man