Evening star., 1936-05-15
ASSA|L
JUDGE BENTLEY
CoIored Attorneys Tell Hear.
ing She Is "TyrannicaI"
and "IndiScreet."
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

Statements that Judge Fay L. Bent
ley Of Juvenile Court is "tyrannical, Z"
"indiscreet," 'contemptuous" and
lacks sufficient judicial temperament.
were made by two colored lawyers to-
day at the final hearing before a spe-
cial subcommittee of the House Dis
trict Committee on bill Ito broaden
the courts power and modernize its
procedure.
The lawyers were Thursman L. Dod-
son, president of the Washington Bar
Association, and James Waters. They
also criticized the provision of the
measure that would give the judge
discretionary authority to conduct
proceedings in private.
Waters told the subcommittee he
has had some experience before Juve-
nile Court, but it had always been
unpleasant" To give the court more
power, he declared ''is appalling to
me-"
Hated as Bastille.
II the court is given the broad
grant Of power. as contemplated in
the bill, Waters predicted that in 10
years it would become as hated as the
Bastille in France until it was torn
down."
I'VE are not attempting to give the
court more power" interrupted Chair
man Nichols I'VE are trying to throw
more protection around the child-to
protect his inherent rights"
Waters insisted the policy of the
court in recent years has been to
frown on jury trials.
The courts attitude is" he de-
clared, Is Don't demand a jury trial
around here. It's better to plead
guilty Some lawyers are afraid to
ask for jury trials. They don't want
to get in bad with the court"
A provision in the bill which would
permit the court to impose a maxi
mum fine of 5000 in contempt cases
was condemned by Waters. He
pointed out that the present meximum
contempt fine Is $40 in the Juvenile
as well as Police Court and $40 in
Municipal Court.
Going to Stay Away.
II can see that 5000 placed on me
as the first man." he declared. I'm
going to stay out Of that court"
you boys had better transfer your
practice" remarked Chairman Nichols.
Dodson supported Waters State
ment that the court discouraged jury
trials. The reason lawyers are afraid
to ask for jury trials" he said, 'is
that they know the judge will give
the maximum penalty on conviction.
You know jury trial slows up pro-
ceoure in court with only one judge"
Dodson next registered an objection
to a provision which would permit
the court to commit q child to an in
stitution at proceedings behind closed
doors.
Sullivan Back on Stand.
George E. Sullivan, who several days
ago submitted a report adopted by the
Executive Committee of the Federation
Of Citizens Associations. opposing the
bill, returned to the witness stand to
discuss certain features. He referred
particularly to provision which would
make trials private. pointing out that
even newspapers would not have ac-
cess to the records.
you can't keep newspapers rom get
ting information" remarked Chairman
Nichols. "A congressional committee
can have secret meeting and they'll
have an extra at the door when YOU
come out telling you what YOU have
done"
James ]. Hayden, an attorney, sug-
gested q number Of changes in the
bill and urged that the qualifications
set up for the judge Of the court should
be raised.