Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-10-02
ASSA|LS WOLATORS
Of MOTOR LAWS
Judge Barratt, in Address to
Grand Jury, Urges indictments
Without Fear or Favor
DECRYS MAUDLlN SYMPATHY

Judge Barratt. IN his charge TO th'
Grand Jury. opening the fall term o
Quarter Sessions Court today. urget
drastic enforcement Of the automobile
traffic laws in order to safeguard life
He urged that all offenders be helt
criminallv responsible. Among the
matters which will engage your etten
tion.' said Judge Barratt. will b.
reckless driving Of automobiles onc
criminal responsibility therefor. Par
ticularly dangerous to the lives ant
limbs of our citizens is the driving or
the wrong side and passing trolley
car when the car Is halted to take or
and discharge passengers.
This is contrary to law. but we sec
it almost daily. Some people, il
seems. cannot learn 10 drive an auto
mobile either with safety to others or
themselves. This occurs often bv rea =
son of deafness. others by defective eye
sight or hearing. but these conditions
40 not excuse them when n citizen Is
killed or injured.
Should Restrict -Four Cases
Inexperienced or reckless drivers or
those physically defective in sight or
hearing or those rendered incapable by
drunkenness. narcotic or other habit
producing drugs should not he permitted
TO drive n motorcar, as il is prohibited
by law.
I'm tho meantime all that can be
done. when the violations are brought TO
our attention. Is to punish the offend =
ers for injuring or killing other persons,
or motor homicide MS it is commonly
known. When a case Of this kind Is
presented TO you. consider the grim facts
and ascertain If the law has been vio-
lated for which some one is criminally
responsible.
'If You find it was not an accident
but criminal negligence or rccklessncss
your duty to protect the community is
plain.
Judge Rarratt then quoted the laws
applying to the operation Of automo-
bilps. and said:
'tnwiSe mercy. maudlin sympathy
and unjustifable clemency. it Is said.
have been carried 70 such an extreme
as to make this country the most law
less in the world. especially since the
war and tho prohibition amendment. but
while they may he contributing causes.
let us by our sane application of our.
law. fully protecting the defendant in
his constitutional right, show the world
that this is not true in Philadelphia. :"
Must Attack Drug Traffic
Judge Barratt then passed on 10 the
drug traffic. saying: "The activity OF
the authorities in arrcsting drug soil
crs and addicts has brought to the pub
lie consequence the knowledge Of the
prevalence of the drug evil in the COM
munity.
To stamp II out is our problem. and
when a prima facie case is presented
to YOU that the law has been violated
Ell her as to the possession. selling -,
other illegal uses of the baneful drugs. it
is your duty to return n true bill.
I'VE must do our part and SEQ that
those wise laws Of our State are strictly
enforced otherwise wholesome hon.
life, honor. honesty and morality will
cease to exist among those unfortunates
who are addicted to the use Of these
drugs.
pcrCival Morris. merchant. 5000 y.
Eleventh street. Forty second Ward. is
foreman of tho Grand Jury. There were
no women on the Grand Jury this term.