Evening star., 1935-03-28
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collision, etc, should not be tried
directly on charge Of the police
officer"
Prettyman presented then a series
of plans for remedying the so-called
defects. Chief among them were
these:
/. Elimination of requirements for
information by the assistant corpora
ton counSels in minor police and
traffic regulations. and that such cases
be tried on the charge of the police
officer
2. Requirement that charges by po-
lice officers be automatically trans
ferred to the docket book at police
court and require disposition by the
judges.
3. Establishment of precinct mag
istrate courts to try minor cases and
major cases
4. Elimination of the right to jury
trials where they can be eliminated.
Prettyman discussed the magistrate
plan. at length, and said he is op-
posed to policemen serving as nagis-
trates. He expressed the belief that
the magistrates should be selected
from WaShlngton's large reservoir" of
retired Army and Navy officers and
Government employees, who are de-
sirous of finding something to do to
occupy their time and attention
The committee adjourned when
Prettyman completed his testimony
until 1890 am. tomorrow.
Eleventh Precinct Defended.
The record of the eleventh precinct
was defended by DR.. George C. Haven
ner. president of the Anacostia Citi-
zens' Association, at the second public
session of the committee last night
He was particularly critical of the
reported description of Inspector AL
bert j. Headley that No. II is a
"third-class precinct"
Havenner pointed out that less
| major crime is committed in the
eleventh precinct than any other, and
stressed the need of an increse of from
rs to 80 in its personnel. The precinct
also should be split, he declared, be-
| cause Of the large area it now covers
Arthur Clarendon Smith, president
of the Federation of Business Mems
Associations, told the committee that
administration of the United States
attorneys office is the most glaring
weakness of law enforcement in the
District.
we must bring offenders to trial
with the greatest speed possible" he
declared. The prosecution must be
vigorous and intelligent"
Smith also outlined several points
his organization believes vital to law
enforcement These included the
necessity for speedy administration of
justice.
Agreement" Criticized.
In addition. Smith criticized the So
called "gentlemen's agreement" to
| force the retirement of Inspector
Thaddeus r. Bean so Inspector Head
ley could be elevated to the rank of
assistant superintendent. and declared
steps should be taken to remove all
semblance of political influence from
the Police Department.
H. Winship Wheatley, president of
the District Bar Association, advocated
elimination of many of the existing
restrictions or jury duty. The present
law exempting women from compul-
sorry jury service, he said. should be
changed to make them subject to jury
duty the same as men.
An effort was made by Representa-
tive Dirksen, Republican, of Illinois,
who presided in the absence of Chair
man Randolph, 10 get Wheatley's
views on the United States attorneys
Office. He explained, however, his
practice was almost entirely civil in
nature.
Sylvan King, chairman of the Joint
Committee OF all trade and civic Or
ganizations. which have united In q
movement for an increase in the police
force, said the solution to crime and
traffic problems would come with the
increase of 141 officers.
Hotel Squad Favored.
Creation of a "hotel squad" to keep
in touch with the various hotels was
advocated by w. M. Kochenderfer.
executive secretary Of the Hotel Mems
Association. He said the present
'hoodlum squad" placed on the hotel
management the initiative for action
against suspicious characters. Because
of this, he explained, attorneys for
the hotel men have advised them to
be cautious in reporting persons. for
fear that the hotels might be liable
for damage action
George K. Beasley, president of the
Federation of Civic Associations,
urged a survey to determine the ex-
tuition and why present agencies have