Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-21
PROCTOR REBUKES
Jury STRIKERS
Tells Trade Board Intelligent
and Experienced Jurors Are
Essential to Justice"

Those experienced business men and
others of special qualification who de-
liberately shirk jury duty on pleas OF
self-interest first were taken to task
last night by Justice James M. Proctor
of District Supreme Court.
Speaking impersonally on the subject
in an address before largely attended
meeting of the Public order Committee
of the Board of Trade, Justice Proctor
administered a rebuke TO those who
complain about the quality Of jurieS and
yet refuse to accept such service them
selves.
Because Of the complicated and tech
nical types of cases that are coming
before the courts today" Justice Proctor
said, intelligent and experienced jurors
are essential to assure justice.
Intelligent Must Accept.
This means that the intelligent and
experienced among the citizens must
accept jury service willingly and cheer
fully.
You cannot get such qualified jurors
by going out on the highways and by
ways and picking up only those not
busily engaged in their own pursuits.
TO the busy man who says of jury
services Let George do it it Is all very
well until he comes into court as one
involved in a highly complicated litiga-
ton, and then he soon sets up howl
about the quality OF the jury that de-
cides his case"
Justice Proctor declared that it was
every citizens duty when called to ac-
cept jury service willingly. Further, he
said it is privilege.
Here" he added, "is q wonderful
opportunity to the citizen to be
called to have an actual part in the
administration OF justice. 1t is my be-
lief that the jury is as important as the
judge, If not more SO.
Don't leave it to George to do, for
you will find some day, If you do. that
George Is sitting on the jury because of
his insignificance and because he was
one who had nothing to sacrifice in
accepting the service and was glad to
get the 81 day for his jury duty"
Justice Proctor made the point also
that in accepting jury service a man
indirectly was serving his own inter
ests, declaring that the peace of a per-
sons own home and the stability of his
business were at stake in the admins
tration of justice.
Justice Proctor, recently appointed to
the District bench, was guest Of honor
at the trade body meeting, and received
tributes from Charles w. Morris, Claude
Owen, Ben T. Webster, George Offutt
and Joseph A. Burkart.
Oppose Police Consolidation.
The committee unanimously voted
against a proposal that the various
police forces of the National Capital be
consolidated. committee headed by
Joseph McGarraghy. in opposing the
suggestion found that no economies
could be expected from consolidation;
that there was no substantial duplica-
ton of work, and that specially trained
men were needed to properly police the
parks. It held that officials charged
with responsibility over properties and
the enforcement of certain regulations
should have control over their policing
and enforcement
Col. U. S. Grant, Sd, director of pub
lie buildings and parks, registered def
mite opposition to the plan, for the rea-
sons found by the committee.
Ward H. Marsh, director OF the
Greater National Capital Committee
and A. c. Case, chairman of the COM
mittee, told of plans for boosting Wash
ington as tourist Mecca.
President Offutt OF the Board OF
Trade announced the appointment OF
Odell S. Smith as chairman OF the Pub
lie Order Committee for another term
The following committee officers were
reappointed: Mr.. Burkart, first vice
chairman: John T. Bardroff. second vice
chairman; Harry Dean, secretary; DR..
A. Magruder Macdonald. assistant secre-
tary, and Charles j. Waters. S. C. CiS-
sell and Harrison Emhardt. treasurers.
John Lewis Smith submitted report
on crime statistics.