The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-22
COURT REBUKES PERSONS
Who WRITE To JUDGES
Characterizes AS Improper the Sending
of Communications Relating to
Pending Cases-Hoffman and Bow
man Answer Charges in Court

Rebuking persons who either YER
bally or by letter attempt to discuss
pending litigation with court judge
and chasing such persons as no less Sc
ious offenders. than the man who at
tempts to bribe juror, Judge George
Kunkel at the close of the annual IL
cense court ON Saturday evening, de-
clared that neither he nor Judge Nc
Carrell "wants to hear anything about
anv case outside of COURT
The president judge made the remark
while discussing with members OF tine
bar the contents of one of two letters
received from laymen who asked the
court to put certain restrictions on
hotel men. The letter writer referred to
failed to appear in court, and although
he rave his name he did not give his
place Of residence.
cit is very improper to communicate
with the court on any matter that is
pending before the judges and we 40
not want to receive such matters,
said Judge Kunkel. "The prosecuting
officer of the commonwealth is the
proper person to communicate with on
such subjects. We have two letters here,
in each of which it is charged that the
law has been violated, and while it is
highly improper, we cannot disregard
them.
The Courts View of Letters
"We do think, however, that they
should have been sent to the District
Attorney, continued the court, "but
now that they are here, we want to
know further about them. No one has
right to discuss a case one way or an
other with the court and we don It want
to hear anything about any case out
side of court. 1t is just as improper to
approach a judge on pending case
as it is a jury"
OF the letters received by the judges,
one charged that Edward G. Hoffman,
proprietor of the Hoffman House, a
Market street hotel, permitted women
of immoral character to frequent side
room in the hostelry. The other alleged
that William H. Bowman, proprietor
of the ST. Lawrence hotel, Berrysburg,
furnished liquor to drunkards.
Both Bowman and Hoffman denied
the charges. Hoffman stated that in Oc-
tober last, but seven women were ac-
eommodated at his hotel; in November
32, and in December, 10. Women, un-
less accompanied by their husbands and
are personal acquaintances of the pro.
prietor, Hoffman said, are barred from
the hotel.
Unmarried women who apply for
rooms also must be personally acquaint'
ed with Hoffman, he said. The larger
number of women who were given lodg-
ing at the hotel in November was due,
Hoffman said, to the Dauphin County
Teachers Institute being held in the
city that month. All of the teachers
were from the upper end of the county
Hoffman IS former home, he said.
W. S. Straub made the charges that
the Berrysburg proprietor has sold in.
toxicants to drunkards. Bowman said
liquor has been denied to Straub at
the Berrysburg hotel and Bowman add
ed that Straub owes him bill.
Berrysburg Case Delayed
District Attorney Stroup suggested
to the court that the letters could not
be considered as remonstrances and
then it was that Judge Kunkel declar
ed that in the future he does not want
to receive any such letters.
A further hearing in the Berrysburg
case will be held one week from to.
day at which time Straub will be called
in to explain his charges. Bowman Is
license expires next Saturday SO that
his hotel will be closed on the following
Monday and until the court finally
passes upon his liquor license applica.
tion. Judge McOarrell gave Bowman
assurance that the court wall not delay
action in the case.