Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-20
BY JOHN CLACETT PROCTOR.

ID II
~ EW of the many thousands of auto
mobile drivers who annually pay
~ their respects to his honor" ct the
II Police Court, and the army of others
who are daily invited" there for
violating-or accused OF violating-the law In
other respects, rarely ever give thought to the
historic spot upon which the court building
stands Indeed, it is doubtful if any consider
able number at that particular time would be
even in the humor to talk history-even SIM
pie local history-and whatever along this line
might be said then would probably go in one
ear and out the other.
Whatever one might say about this noted
place. under ordinary conditions, is quite likely
to be listened to with marked attention, since
there are so very many people in Washington
who are familiar with its location and sur
roundings, and some even know the present
Judges by name, while others-among the old
timers-can even recall Judge Smell and his
rotund outlines, and can almost hear him say
"Ten DAYS" or six months" to some lD,tor-
tunate who has violated the law in somc minor
respect
Judge Miller, for whose regard Jack the
Slasher' had such little consideration-an
one of the most humane judges who ever sat
on the Police Court bench-as well as Judges
Kirnball Scott, Pugh and Mullowny, who, for
special reasons, are Also no doubt, recalled by
many of older residents, are remembered.
Judges Mullowny and Pugh rose from the
served as assistant United States district at
torney, while the latter was detailed to the
court by the corporation counsel. This same
reward only recently came to Judge Ralph
Given while Judge Schuldt had similar expert
ence in the Juvenile Court and elsewhere before
going on the bench.
OF course the Police Court is not a cheerful
~ place to visit, especially when you have
received pink slip with your particular Of
Tense checked off. Every one feels offended
and aggrieved, and then every one seems to
have his fighting face on. Even the judge
looks unusually stern and sees little to smile
at If you are fined you are diSpleased; and
if you acquitted, you are angry because you
had to go there.
One of the judges when appointed for the
first time some few years back-and by the
way, one of the most cheerful of the four now
on the bench-in letter which the writer re-
ceived from him at the beginning of his ad-
ministration wound up by saying Come to see
me socially but not officially" Really, the
strain seems somewhat to have told on him.
since even he-a real prince of a fellow-does
not seem to be just as jovial as formerly.
In the municipal and in the upper courts,
however it is different, especially in the latter,
in the civil branch, for irrespective of how the
case goes, almost invariably one side or the
other is made happy, and, of course. the trial
judge involuntarily absorbs some of the Joy
of the victorious party. But, alas! rarely does
this happen in the Police Court, where trou-
bles never cease and where smiles are rare
and at premium.
A S to the early history of this corner: Quite
in contrast to its present use, here for
merly stood the first Unitarian Church in the
CITY, which was dedicated June g. 1922, and
remained standing until shortly after 1904, the
plans for the present court building having
been approved August 20 of that year.
The old Unitarian Church was historic for
more than one reason. Alphabetically it was
SO because it was designed by Charles Bulhnch,
the architect of the Capitol from 1918 to 1880,
and the only building known to have been
built by him in Washington, though it is be-
Iieved that others erected by him for
which he never received the credit
This old church is well within the memory
of many who may still be considered as being
not over middle-aged and during the S0-odd
years it existed underwent but slight change.
1t was of brick, with smooth plaster finish ex-
terror, with steeple in which was placed the
first bell erected in the city, except the one
used at the Capitol to announce the hour for
starting and ceasing work on the building. At
the time of the execution of John Brown at
Charles Town, Va. in 1859, it the only
bell in the city to toll its mournful sympathy,
which, however, was resented by the city gov
eminent to such extent that from that
time its use for official announcements was
discontinued.
When the church built, at Four
tenth and l. streets northwest, the bell was
removed there, and after this church was
crowded out to be replaced by business block
it was probably taken to the new church at
Sixteenth and Harvard streets. But wherever it
may be, it is valuable relic not only for its
association with this church, but also because
it was cast in 1922 in Paul Revere's foundry.
During the many years that this church stood