The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-05-06
cLELiND FINES
HIMSELF; SIGNS
Up own WAIVER
uaeistratc Allows He Would be
fsIr to Himself When Ceppers
Sey He Violated Motor Law.

No one can accuse Magistrate D.
CIeland OF not enforcing the mo-
tor vehicle laws to the letter.
No less than so motor law viola
tors who have been fined by the
MAGISTRATE In Rock Island police
court in the last week probably
von]d have been filled with glee
lad they been present Wednesday
sfteruoon when the magistrate pro-
ceeded to fine himself IS and costs
for 4 technical violation OF the la~.
Let It be said that although the
magistrate knows about every
nuirk in the city and state auto
laws, he, nevertheless, has peers at
The police station when 1t comes
10 decisions on the wee fine points.
One Of the stipulations is that
when a car is driven around a cor
ner the driver must proceed past
the center OF the intersection be-
fore making the turn to either right
or left.
Wednesday afternoon Magistrate
Cleland was on the way TO the po-
lice station in his car, At the in
tersection of Third avenue and
Sixteenth street he made a turn
and it was not exactly according
to Hoyle. 1t was not a fragrant
violation, but was a technical vio-
lation. The rear wheels cut across
the center Of the intersection.
Commissioner William H. Fitz-
simmons, for years traffic officer;
Police Chief Tom Cox, Motorcycle
Officer Earl Shannon and Desk Ser
geant Art Kinsley witnessed the
act.
Demand Retributf0n.
They were loud in their protesta-
tons, demanding that the magis-
trate has been SO strict Of late on
motor law violators he should keep
his record clear.
The magistrate protested his~in-
nocence, but when he was faced
with numerous citations of the law.
accompanied by interpretations by
men who have made it their bust
ness to watch traffic, he admitted
that there was something to puzzle
over.
Signs Jury Waiver.
Into the court room tramped the
entire assemblage.
Chief Tom Cox signed the COM
plant and demanded justice.
What is fair for the goose is
fair for the gander, SO get busy"
said the chief. You're strict with
the rest Of them, and while you
may have grounds for an appeal,
there was technical violation and
we have no sympathy"
Eager to testify, but overcome by
habit, Motorcycle Officer Shannon
yelled: He was going 40 miles an
hour"
Shut up" said Commissioner
Fitzsimmons, you've got speeders
on the brain. He cut a corner;
that is the charge"
Sure" said Shannon, that is
what meant to say"
Let's talk this thing over" said
Cleland.
Nothing doing" said Chief Cox,
and demanded that II the magis-
trate wanted to argue or get an at
torney he should not waste the
witnesses time, but should furnish
bond until he was ready for trial.
That is the way l feel about It,,
said Desk Sergeant Kinsley. reach
ing for the keys to the bull pen."
Just force OF habit" he inform
ed Cleland. you know you might
not want to furnish bond"
+ BE reasonable" said Cleland.
Cut out the small town Jokes
and sign that Jury waiver, or ask
for jury trial. which will cost you
more, or put up bond" demanded
Chief Cox.
I'll sign" says Cleland. Then
he came back with: Guilty or not
guilty" and answered, guilty"
he paid up, too. and declared that
he actually felt better for it.
We feel some better ourselves"
chorused the witnesses.
Others Fined.
With the trial over, the Judge
proceeded to be just as strict with
speeders arraigned before him.
Those fined Wednesday afternoon
and this morning are: Thomas Te-
bury, W. l.. James. Forrest Coul-
son, Barney Culp, S. r. Willis, E.
=. Budder and John S. Crane. All
paid s. and costs.