Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-18
JUDGE HARRISON
BARS INFLUENCE
Declares No One Can Inter
fere in His EEBootIeg"
Decisions.

Judge Robert Hardison asserted in the
United States branch of Police Court
today that neither the Attorney Cen
eral. the district attorney, the chief OF
police, the newspapers nor anybody else
would influence him in the decisions he
gives in the prosecution of persons ar
rested for bringing liquor into the pro-
hibited five-mile zone.
The 5udsE made the edeclalstion after
Attorney Thomas Jones had questioned
the policy adopted by the government of
sending for witnesses after accused have
submitted their defense. Mr.. Jones re-
ferred to this practice of the government
as forcing the court to admit improper
evidence.
In reply, the judge pointed out that
have held that the evidence the govern
ment IS introducing here to show the
character OF persons arrested for bring
ing whisky into the city and the sur
roundings in which they live is admis-
sible
Outlines Responsibility.
After this explanation the Judge
said an impression seemed to prevail
that he was responsible to the De-
partment of Justice or the police
force for his decisions. He said he
was connected with the Department
of Justice for three years and knew
the department had no desire to in
fiuence the courts in the enforcement
of law.
Even if any official had such a
DESIRE" said Judge Hardison, they
would be barking up the wrong tree
in this court"
The judge said he did not want to
hear the suggestion again that any
thing but the law as he saw it would
nave any bearing upon his decisions.
Four Are Acquitted.
Joseph Jores, colored, of 511 South
Capitol street, was acquitted today and
twelve quarts of liquor ordered re-
turned to him when he showed that
the whisky was brought from Balti-
more for use at wedding party to-
night. Jones produced George Gil
bert, colored, the prospective BRIDE
groom, and also offered the marriage
license in evidence. After hearing the
testimony, Judge Hardison said:
Il hate to break up a wedding. Let
the case be dismissed"
Grady Henson. white, nineteen years
yards, who was arrested by Sergt.
Bean Saturday night while carrying a
suit case of whisky through the city
from Baltimore to Alexandria, was
acquitted today.
The judge said it was clearly the
intention of the Presidents proclama-
tion to prevent the shipment of liquor
to place within five miles of a
camp, and that person who estab-
lishes beyond question that he is only
passing through the zone is not
guilty of violating the proclamation.
Harry Brooke and Edward Robert
son, white. employees of the navy
ing whisky into the city in an auto
mobile by way of Bladensburg road
Monday night, also were acquitted
after explanations that this liquor
was for the use of their respective
families.
Had Whisky in Potato Bag.
William I. Howard, colored, is salts.
fed today that there is something in
the old saying, Honesty is the best
policy" Howard was arrested by
Capt F1ather of the first precinc,
while returning from Baltimore or
the night Of December with sixteen
quarts of whiskey in a potato bag or
his shoulder.
AS they were waiting at 18th
and H streets northeast for a patrol
the electric lights went out and Can't
Flather lost his man among the scores
of others who were detained afte,
getting off the Baltimore car
Howard, where are you," the polics
captain shouted as he scanned the
crowd.
Here I am, boss: I amt goin' no.
where" came the voice of Howard
from the crowd. In police court yes.
terday Judge Hardison was impressed
with the conduct of the colored man
who said the liquor was for himself
only. His employer testified he was
a faithful worker and he was acquitted
of the charge of having liquor in the
prohibited five-mile zone.
Four other colored persons who
made satisfactory explanations OF
why they were bringing liquor back
from Baltimore were dismissed yester.
day afternoon.
The court dismissed the case against
Emma Williams, colored, who had
eight quarts. The Judge stated that II
people continue to bring in eight, ter
or twelve quarts now after public sen
timent has been aroused, the infer
once Of an unlawful purpose is strong.
er than IT would have been before the
police campaign began.