Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-27
POLICE COURT MEN
FIGHT MERGER IDEA
Commissioners Forward Bill
Embodying Plan to Con-
greSS, Seeking Action.

Strong opposition to the recon-
mendation approved by the District
commissioners yesterday favoring the
consolidation of the Police and
Municipal Courts was voiced by Police
Court officials today. Court officials il
disappearing of the plan urged that
traffic cases be handled by the
Municipal Court inasmuch as it would
relieve the present congestion of the
Police Court and that most traffic
cases We're of a municipal nature.
The following Isl the opinion eX-
pressed today by the officials following
consultation between them and
Judge Gus a. Schuldt, the presiding
magistrate:
Opinion of Officials.
The report of the committee
recommending the consolidation of the
Municipal Court with the Police Court
should be carefully considered before
any definite action is taken.
1t is quite revolutionary to com
bine a criminal jurisdiction with
civil. Citizens having business of a
civil nature would perhaps object to
commingle with those having criminal
business, and this is limited at by the
committee when they seek to void this
by having separate entrances to the
courthouse.
THE consolidation of these two
courts would also result in a building
of colossal size. The Police Court is
United States court, while the Afu
nicipal Court is what it's name indi-
Gates.
Traffic Cases Angle
If the Municipal Court is in con
dition to help the Police Court. why
not transfer the trial of traffic cases.
which are in nature municipal instead
Of criminal, To the Municipal Court
and leave the Police Court to try the
purely criminal cases?
Such a procedure would seem TO be
the logical solution of the Police
courts congested problem"
Consider Further Plan.
The District Commissioners at the
same time began serious consideration
today of the recommendation of a
citizens committee for the establish
Iaent of a traffic violation bureau
which would serve to keep a great
majority of minor traffic cases out of
Police Court. The principal recon-
mendation of the committee for reliev-
ing congestion at Police Courtroom
solidation of the Police and Municipal
Courts-already has been approved
by the Commissioners. A bill provid-
ing for this merger was transmitted
TO Congress today with a request for
its introduction and enactment at the
present session.
The proposed bureau would give
motorists an opportunity to waive
trial and plead guilty to minor infrac-
tons of the traffic regulations. pay an
agreed schedule of fines and spend no
money fnr fapS
Committees Final Report.
The citizens committee was APP
pointed some time ago TO study the
advisability of establishing a magis-
trate court system. one of the plans
suggested for alleviating the crowded
conditions in Police Court. About a
month ago the committee reported ID
yersely on the plan. but recommended
instead the creation of two additional
Judgeships in Police Court Its final /
report. however. urged the consolida- |
ton of the Police and Municipal
Courts, making unnecessary in the
committees opinion, the appointment
of two additional judges.
The final report also urged the crea-
ton of the traffic violation bureau
first proposed by Col. /. c. Moller,
assistant director of traffic. The
COMMISSIONERS, however, Ola not give
this proposition deliberate considera.
ton when studying the plan for merg-
ing the two inferior courts, but
reserved it for further study.
The Commissioners, it was said, are
unanimous in favor of consolidating
The Police and Municipal Courts and
believe that it will relieve materially
rhe congestion in the former court.
support of the bill providing for the
merger viii be actively sought during
the present session of Congress-