Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-05-07
OFFICIALS TO ASK
NEW POLICE COURT
Many Indorse Erection of
S500,0OO Structure Large
Enough for Many Years.
BY GEORGE ADAMS HOW ARD.

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An appropriation of 100000 for
new Police Court building that will be
adequate fov the city's needs for years
to come will he asked of Congress by
the officials of the old courthouse that
has stood at the corner of Sixth and
y streets for nearly 20 years
This request follows the bill intro
duced Yesterday by Representative
Zihlmar. chairman Of the House Dis
trict committee, after an urgent de-
mSn9 had been made by Repres
tiVes Elanton. Gibson and Bowman
after their inspection tour of Police
Court
Judge Gus 4. Schuldt, presiding
magistrate. stated today that half
million dollars was not a high amount
10 ask for the erection Of an adequate
building. lie suggested that the site
he between the District courthouse
and the Pension Office. This site. on
Judiciary Square, he said, is ALREADY
owned by the District government
and because of its large area would
be available Also, he declared, no
condemnation proceedings would have
to be undertaken.
IseS for Old Building
The old Police Court the Judge
stated with a slight remodelinS. would
be used for headquarters for the 70
lice Department and Traffic Bureau,
LIS close proximity to the courts would
prove a great convenience. he said,
and relieve the congestion in the Dis
trict Building. Then, too. the paying
II rent Ia the Federal Government
for the present Traffic Bureau head
quarters on Pennsylvania avenue would
cease.
Frank A Sebring. clerk of the 70
lice Court for the past IS years. said
he Is in fun accord with Judge
Schuldts plans.
We do not want building, he said.
that will be adequate for few years.
We want a building that will be suit
able to the growth of the city Tor
many wears to come. The present
building is entirely too small. II was
erected in 1907. long before the traf-
fic and prohibition laws. 1t will take
$500 900 10 put up a building that the
CITY needs Ii belongs on judiciary
square While it is being erected the
present courthouse can be used, II
this building is torn down. there Is
not sufficient space TO build a large
enough building. Condemnation pro
ceedings for the buildings adjoining 1t
would prove very costly.
Ralph Given, assistant Cnlted
States attorney. stationed in Ponce
Court as prosecutor for the majority
of the United States cases Tor many
wears. expressed himself TODAY AS
being heartily in favor OF the pan.
We need a building where the city
ordinances. including the traffic and
nOlice violations and OffenSeS OF the
Health Department of less serious ma
tlIre. can he completely divorced from
the more serious offenses. The pres
emf Police Court is a jungle court. In
no other Jurisdiction is there sim
liar court The great number OF the
smaller violations completely inter
rlint carving on the cases ~ I'M
portanCe.
IN the new building facilities
should be given so IS TO separate com
rletelv the different kinds of cases.
We handle the same kind of cases
that the District supreme Court nan
dies. 1t is just the difference OF pen
auies that bring them in mere IN
stead of the court where an lndlc'-
ment must be made. Such building
az The CITY needs should he erected
without delay. The proper place toi
it is on Judiciary square.
Other Judges support.
OF her Judges or me toi4Ce ''Hl
we're unanimous with Judge Schuldt,
their spokesman. News that Congress
intended providing for a new building
was received with great enthusiasm.
According to them the preponderance
of their work can he alleviated only
by proper facilities and space
Members of the Police Department
also are highly appreciatiNe Of the
oroenectS of a new building. Day after
dav they have been compelled to push
their way through crowds TO make
out their napers and stand in line for
long intervals before they could Wend
their way TO the clerk.
The general public who run afoul
Of the various regulations, II is
believed. will also be aided when
humane comfort at least VIII he
afforded them.
Praise for The Stars interest for
many years in obtaining new court
house. through its news stories and
exposes. was expressed today on