Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-08
POLICE HEAD DENIES
HE FAVORS LAWYERS
Director Wilson Says Women's
Cases Go to Magistrates for
Effective Treatment

william H. Wilson. Director OF Public
Safety, last night issued a statement re.
plying to charges that the trials of women
had been diverted from Judge Browns
misdemeanants division of the Municipal
Court to the Central Station police court
for the benefit of a coterie of lawyers with
political influence.
Director Wilson's statement follows:
From January 3 down until Judge Da.
vs's decision very little headway was
made In the suppression of these women.
During the period that the Municipal Court
had assumed jurisdiction over these cases
reports which came to me from the Bu-
reau of Police show that In January. 1916.
there were SO arrests of such women. OF
this number five were sent to the county
prison for periods varying from 10 to 30
days and nine to the House of Correction
for periods varying from three to nine
months, The rest were all discharged or
put on probation.
"1n February there were 6S arrests, of
whom three were sent to the county prison
for from five to ten days. seven to the
House of Correction for periods varying
from three to nine months The rest were
discharged or put on probation.
"In March there were 95 arrests. OF
these IA were sent to the House of Cor
county prison for 10 days each, and three
to the House of the Good Shepherd. Two
others were sent to the House of the Good
Shepherd and were subsequently dis
charged. All the rest were discharged or
put on probation.
In April there were 10 arrests. OF these
10 were sent to the House of Correction for
three to six months 81 to the county prison
for 30 days each. and seven to the House
of the Good Shepherd.
For part of May, % cases were heard
by the Municipal Court Two were sent
to the House of Correction for three months
and discharged a few days afterward. One
was sent to the House Of Correction for
three months and released afterward by
the Court of Common Pleas. One was sent
to the county prison and two to the House
of the Good Shepherd. The remainder
were discharged
During the month of May the Magis.
trates again assumed jurisdiction over
such cases. Before them there were 43
cases. OF these IS were sent to the House
of Correction for terms ranging from two
to six months, "a to the county prison for
80 days each. one to the Philadelphia Hos.
pital and none discharged.
I'm June there were 1903 arrests, of which
all were heard in the police court. Forty.
four were sent to the House of Correction
for periods from three to Is months, six to
the county prison for 10 to 30 days, one
to the House of the Good Shepherd and two
discharged.
I'm July there were Sc arrests. OF these
IL We're sent to the House of Correction
for three to Is months and a. to the county
prison for 30 days. One was discharged.
During the time that the Municipal
Court assumed exclusive jurisdiction of
these cases we find the same offender was
repeatedly arrested Since the Magistrates
have had charge of this class of cases. the
records show that out OF EOS cases there
were SO discharges and no fines. All the
rest have been sentenced to various terms
of Imprisonment.
THE result of this action Is that such
offenses have been reduced to a minimum.
In my opinion, this certainly justihes the
action taken. / have received more than
100 letters asking for the discharge of per.
sons and have turned them all down AS
to the action the court may have taken in
any case, that is for the court TO determine.