The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-11-29
Police Commissioner Is Favor
lite Among Council;nen For
New Position
PATRON E. B. ENGLISH
INCLINFS TOWARD HIM
City Council May Provide AS
sistant to Justice of Police
Court Where Congestion of
Cases Constantly Prevails

Police Commissioner w. Douglas
Gordon will. in all probability, be me
first judge of the proposed juvenile
and Domestic Relations court:
The ordinance establishing TINS
court has been adopted by Common
Council. and is now on its way to
the board of Aldermen, after which
the Mayor will attach his signature,
and by the fist of the year the court
should be in running shape.
Several names nave been mentioned
in connection with the place OF jud ge
of the court. Many Councilmen how
ever. appear to have centered upon
Mr.. Gordon as a most tttng ana
capable man for that place. He has
wide knowledge OF the ways of the
world having been long identifled
with newspaper and police work. Is
big hearted, sympathetic and is a
lawyer
Councilman Edgar b English,
patron OF the ordinance. IS strongly
inclined toward MIR. Gordon. and Mr.,
Gordon has stated t:lat he would ac-
cept the position.
To Relieve Congestion.
The court is designed To relieve }ae
! Justice Of the Police Court of 1uNe-
nile and domestic trouble cases. n
der the present conditions OF things
Justice Crutchfieid handles the Police
Court, and then takes up the work o'
disposing Of the other cases. There
are comparatively few juvenile AND
domestic relations cases at this time
but it Is believed with the rapidly
growing city, the court when regularly
established VIII prove of vast i'm
porianee.
Most efficient Clerk Ricks. or the
present Juvenile Court. has been men
toned for ftre .utigsnfp, az mas -bctrc'
tive Gordon Smith. of the Police De
partment. Rev ". A Cooper hat
also been mentioned. but he has stated
the work ia so different from what he
has devoted his life to, he could mol
accept the position II rendered him
With the establishment of the court
several additional officials will b
chosen; detention homes will be es-
tabiished and a permanent place fol
the home of the court will be To-
Gated.
In this connection City Council Ii
talking OF creating an assistant to rnt
justice of the Police Court. That cour
disposes of more work than all tbs
other City Hail courts combined. Il
turns over many thousands of dollar.
a year to the city. which goes into
the general fund. besides about $4,000
a Year in court costs, which goes to
the Police Board for its disposal.
Magistrates Courts.
In addition TO these proposed i'm
prcvements to the lower court condi-
lions Councilman Seaton has propo-
sition before the Ordinance Committee
giving Council the right to establish
magistrates courts at the various po-
lice stations. These latter are designed
for the relief of policemen who
figure in minor cases. In many in
stances policemen who should be 4,
home. resting or asleep; or on duty,
are compelled TO attend the sessions
OF Police Court as witnesses. The
esta Enlistment OF magistrates courts al
the stations Mill relieve congestion
in the stations as we'll. Minor Of
Tenders may be heard and disposed OF
while the policemen are going on and
off their reiiefs The congestion ir
Police Court will also be relieved.
1t is probable the Board of AL