Evening star., 1914-11-19
Man Buys a Blackjack;
MuIIoWny Cites Case as
Argument for New Law

Its all well enough to talk about
giving severe sentences In cases OF
persons carrying concealed weapons,
but what is needed is strict regula-
tion regarding the sale of them." de-
clared Judge Alexander R. Mullowny
today in the Police Court in the case Of
William S. Pratt, young man who
pleaded guilty to a charge of carrying
a blackjack.
Pratt, according to a statement Of his
attorney to the court, Is employed by
his brother in a lunchroom at the
bureau of engraving and printing.
to the statement. a threat had been
made. Pratt feared he would be
harmed and went out and purchased
the blackjack, with which he intended
to defend himself. The attorney also
spoke of the excellent character of
the defendant and stated he was the
sole support of three.
Assistant United States Attorney
Ralph Given said: This is one instance
where it Is shown just how easy it is
young man feared he might have to de-
fend himself and Immediately went out
and bought blackjack. He possibly
had no intention of using it, unless he
was attacked, but he was carrying it
and therefore Is guilty"
Mr.. Given said that the case was one
that merited a jail sentence. The gov
ernment feels it duty to suppress this
crime of persons carrying weapons. but
there are cases in which the govern
ment wants the court to use discre-
ton"
Doubts Jail Sentence Efficacy.
Judge Mullowny declared that he did
not believe that the imnosing Of Jail
sentence does much good.
Take the liquor question, for in
stance" he said. when the law was
passed regarding persons found drunk
on the street I announced that would
impose q fine in every case and that
none would be placed on probation.
What was the result? In the ninth
month after its passage there were
more cases of drunkenness in the court
than there were in the second month
after its passage. The sentences seemed
to do no good.
There is another instance in the
cases of persons charged with taking
the property of another without the
owners consent. such as automobiles.
AS soon as the owner realizes that the
person charged with the crime may
be sent to Jail in many instances he
appeals to the court to have the de-
fendant placed on probation.
In this case suppose this young man
had been obliged to apply to the proper
authorities for. sav. possibly forty
eight hours before he could purchase
the weapon: then. I believe. he would
| have forgotten all about IL and would
not have gotten the weapon. People
I are going TO carry weapons as long as
| they can purchase them. and the ONLY
way to stop it is to have a regulation
REGARDING their sale
The court imposed a sentence of sixty
days in Jail on Pratt, but placed him
on probation for one year upon his
promise not to repeat the offense.
Three Carried Weapons.
Charged with carrying a razor open
ly with the unlawful intent to use the
same, and also with being drunk
George Fletcher was today sent to Jail
by Judge Mullowny for ninety days.
Fletcher was said to have DISPLAYED
the razor on street car near 18th and
| H streets northeast. The policeman
who arrested him said he found the
razor in his pocket, and also testified
that he was drunk.
| According to the defendants story
he came to the city from the country
i and, as he said. had the razor for the
| purpose of shaving. But he got drunk
| Continued on Fourth Page,l