Evening star., 1925-01-03

Diary of a washington Correspond
ent: Attended this week most re-
markable trial / ever Witnessed
man charged with crime of having
been killed by an automobile. HIS
mangled body lay in room above
our heads. He was found guilty ano
sentenced to be buried for felonious
negligence in running into touring
car. Formal charge, l gathered, was
obstruction OF motor traffic In pub
lie highway. Incidentally, witnesses
swore accused into a drunkard'
grave. They did not testify he was
drunk when he committed his fatai
interference with traffic. 1t was only
brought out that his breath was al
coholic as he gasped his last on the
operating table of a hospital Also
1t appeared drink was his railing.
1t had brought him into contact with
the police. Nor did a significant con-
fiict Of testimony on the alcoholic
question mitigate the impending ver-
dict. Beardless inferno, who han
died the case" swore the man smelled
Of whisky. Deputy coroner said au-
topsy revealed no evidence of alcohol.
My way to this amazing trial took
me to the District of Columbia
morgue, at Seventh and the wharves,'
where the Norfolk boat docks. ON
cially, the trial was a coroners in
quest over Americas twenty-four
thousand six hundred and seventy
ninth automobile fatality. or there
abouts, of the lately vanished year Of
grace, 1924. The defendant Chat
seemed to be his mute role in the
proceedings) was white, aged AZ, hus-
band, father of two, and a blacksmith.
Was crossing a. great suburban high
way leading out Of Washin gton at
$50 o'clock on a Sunday evening.
Coroners jury found man had step
ped in front Of automobile 50 sud
denly that car driver was unable to
prevent accident" Verdict: Guilty of
carelessness in the first degree. Death
penalty had already been imposed.
attended that inquest with a pur-
pose. I was curious to see how some
motorists, literally, get away with
such tragedies, which are today
striking at the safety of the Nation
in very vital sense, are probed.
came away sad, Mortified, almost con-
vinced there is one law for the quick
and one for the dead. Picture the
scene. Coroner and his deputy on
bench. Six average-looking men In
jury box against wall. At a table, two
shorthand writer's; representative OF
the district attorney; lawyer for
automobile owner, who happened to
be the diver (the plaintiff in the ac-
ton, as It appeared to me), natty fell
low, aged perhaps 81; at his elbow
evidently as comforter, man friend
Four or five rows of spectators. Dead
mans brother, a baldheaded working
man. Negroes, including women
Police Court hanger-on, regulation
rough -and-ready types. Bootleggine
murder case was next on docket.
4 II + X
Coroner drones indictment (of the
blacksmith), technically known as
Statement of the facts" Then calls
motorcycle policeman, who had not
seen accident; only hastened to hos
pital after precinct headquarters told
him man hurt" Knew nothing what
ever of circumstances. Excused
Deputy coroner, very professional, re-
ports result of autopsy. Grim de-
tails of internal hemorrhage: COM
pound fracture of ribs: protrudine
bones. Excused. Boyish inferno
narrates victims delivery at hospita
Iy young man, whose condition was
sober" Tells how blacksmith sue
oumbed on operating table. "Wha,
40 ynu notice about hinR5' oaaxial