Evening star., 1935-09-15
PRETTyMAN AGAIN
ASKS NEW COURTS
Repeats Plea in Annual Re-
port in Effort to Break
Legal Jam.

Recommendation for revision of the
District judicial system to expedite the
GREAT flood of minor cases now taken
directly to Police and Traffic Courts
are renewed by Corporation Counsel
Prettyman in his annual report sub
mitted yesterday to the District Com
missioners.
He referred to his previously voiced
suggestions of a modified system Of
magistrate courts and for changes in
operation of the Traffic Court.
Experiences in Traffic Court during
the recent campaign ordered by Com
missioner HaZen against reckless and
fast drivers, he declared, illustrate pres
ent difficulties.
The effect upon accidents and
fatalities" he said, was instantaneous
and amazing. But the small Traffic
Court has been almost unbearably
iammed during this time. Long waits
by police officers and witnesses have
been necessary.
Efforts Cannot Be Sustained.
ION the first court day of the drive
It was after o'clock when court ad-
lourned. In my opinion, police efforts
cannot be sustained for extended
periods under these conditions, and
such efforts ought to be regular
routine, persistently followed year in
and year out; at least the facilities
should be readily available for such
policy and practice" he said
Prettyman has recommended estab-
lishment of four or more magistrate
courts to be situated in police precinct
stations. These would handle all
minor cases. Appeals could be taken
to Police or Traffic Courts. During
the past year some $4,000 cases have
been heard by Police and Traffic
Courts. Adoption of magistrate courts.
he argued, would drastically cut the
figure.
He has suggested establishment Of a
night Traffic Court to facilitate traffic
cases, saving time which now must be
taken off regular duty by policemen to
attend court. This plan met with
disfavor of judges and committee
of District officials pursuaded the Com
missioners to abandon the magistrate
court plan until the next session of
Congress.
New Bill Would Enlarge Power.
A new bill to enlarge the powers of
the Commissioners is being prepared
for consideration next session, Pretty
man told the Commissioners. The
controversial elements of last year S
bill are being eliminated. Among
those were proposals to place the
various citizens boards. such as the
Board of Education, under the direct
, and complete control of the Com
rnissioners.
Enactment of a measure to set up
q more modern system of handling
lunacy cases will be proposed for the
next session, Prettyman said. 1t was
presented to Congress last session but
failed of action. 1t calls for creation
Of a commissioner on mental health
who would decide on commitments to
st. Elizabeth's or Gallinger hospitals,
now handled by lunacy juries in Dis
trict Supreme Court. There would be
provisions for appeals and for court
trials when demanded by interested
parties.
One purpose would be to avoid pub
icity for cases. Another would be to
have group of experts to pass on
commitments instead of jury Of lay
men.
Permanent appointment of legis-
lative drafting assistant to the cor
poration counsel also was urged. be-
cause Of the high percentage of the
counsels time which now must be de-
voted to such work.