The Washington times., 1924-11-29
Untried Criminals and Minor
Offenders a Serious
Menace to the D. G.
By BILL PRICE.

by DILL EN1GL.
Almost crisis in the administration Of criminal Justice in
the District of Columbia been reached in all our local
through grave of judges prosecuting stafs
RNGGOLD HART Assistant Corporation Counsel Of the
District charge Of traffic in the Police Court makes
showing Of presentday conditions in that court which
nothing less than startling because Of its menace public
welfare and ''mockery of justice"
Mr. Hart does attempt to speak Of the congestion and
stagnaon in the Supreme Court Of the District and the
District Attorneys office in both Of which there is amentable
dangerous lack of sufficient judges and prosecuting force to
promptly handle the increasing number Of criminal
The effective antdote for crime and doing in
any community the quick bringing justice Of offenders
Procrasnation in this respect is boon to the criminal
world Crime necessarily increases wherever justice is tardy
Criminals become bold because they know that delays in
trials inevitably in their favor.
Lawabding people Of this city, if they constituted grand
jury could bring against Congress remarkable indictment
for neglect of law and order and indirect responsibility for
woefu conditions that exist in the courts prosecuting Offices
in crowded as and the large numbers Of criminals
bonds that light due the cold fact that there
for them in the District jail
The testimony against Congress would be conclusive that
conviction would result yet statesmen stand in the halls Of
Congress and venomousy attack conditions here in the face
Of the plain truths that laid before them each year and the
requests that betterment be had through judges in the
Supreme Court handle the overcrowded civil criminal
dockets and employees in the District Attorneys offices
TO push along and keep close track Of pending
Congress has been repeatedly urged increase the number
of local judges prosecuting officials but neglecs its
duties satisfying itself by criticism and vicaion of
local officials and the community.
MrHart presents showing that we need two
additional Police Court judges making four courts and four
judges Of which should be constituted Traffic Court
dispose of traffic fast they arise and keep
close the heels Of persistent and dangerous traffic Of
tenders.
IL Police Court judges needed many years ago.
when the population Of the District half what it is now
there be question to at least four Judges being
District Supreme Court the judges and prosecuting agencies of
which have not been increased since Washington
paratively small town.
Since the institution of Police Courts the prohibition
and traffic problems have than tebled the work of
those without taking into consideration the natural
increase in all sorts of due to steady increase Of
laton.
No wonder crime is spreading No wonder public opinion
is thoroughly aroused drunken drivers Of automobiles
speders and the deliberately careless and hougtess who
kill and iniure pedestrians with the utmost
Advantage is constantly taken of the perous congestion
in the Police Courts by traffic offenders They have the
right to demand jury trials and they do demand them know
ing full well that jury far behind Nobody knows
when arising at this time will be tried When they
are finally brought witnesses lost sight of and not
be produced They away from the city lose interest
and longer concentrate their minds the facts as
they them
This would not be could be tried both day and
night and convicted offenders sentenced within short time
after their misdeeds The who knows he will quickly
face Judges and uries after breaking the law not going
to feel half comfortable when he knows that his lawyers
delay trial until witnesses become hazy and Indifferent
do not appear at ALL
In addition these mscarrages Of Justice Congress
little concerned that sometimes refuses to appropriate suf
tcent money to pay juymen and prosecuting officials are
compelled to get along best they accepting compromises
Or agreeing to light fines when there should be Jail sentences
Or heavy fines
The situation makes amazing Of affairs the
Capital City of the nation the people of which are deeply
aroused Why Congress- the custodian of this National City
refuses to give relief thereby condoning increasing crime and
disrepect OF law and order, is past comprehension