Evening star., 1936-06-17

NNUIlUllu6u F1ISJ FdRe.J
himself and he likes direct answers.
He will not tolerate yes and no" re-
sponses.
The District Court handles all traf-
fic offenses and all other law viola
tions punishable by jail sentence of
less than year, or fine of less than
$1,000. The cases disposed of to-
day, for example, included 223 minor
traffic cases, 81 speeding cases, 3
driving while drunk, IA reckless driv-
ing and SO drunk and disorderly cases.
In Washington there are four judges
to handles cases of this type.
Judge Page also acts as a commit
ting magistrate in the more serious
cases. which are tried In the Munich
pal Court, comparable to the District
Supreme Court. The contrast there is
equally marked, with one judge doing
the work of two and sometimes three
criminal courts In the District.
Justice, as administered here, is
admittedly arbitrary and sometimes
harsh. The rules of evidence, as un-
derStood in Washington, are virtually
unknown. If the judge thinks a wit
ness is lying he doesn't hesitate to
say so in plain language. But if he
thinks case has been manufactured
he is equally outspoken, with the ar
resting officer on the receiving end
of the TRADE.
Few Are Excused.
During the hearing on traffic cases
at least a dozen motorists came in
with explanations which might have
resulted in leniency elsewhere. But
not from Judge Page. If the viola
tions were deliberate, punishment is
certain The court knows no other
rule, and there are no exceptions, rich
and poor being treated alike. Only in
cases of real emergency are violations
excused.
In other cities the harshness of the
procedure here might arouse resent
ment, but the people of Milwaukee
seem to like it. At any rate, Judge
Page, who is elected to Office, is now
rounding out his fourth six-year term.
Speeding fines are assessed accord
ing to the rate of speed, and range
from SIS up. When arrested, a mo-
torist may go to district police sta
tion and deposit the amount that he
will be fined, plus costs. The next day
the arreSting officer simply brings the
money to court, states the circum-
stances and the absent defendant is
found guilty. That is the end of the
matter, and cases of this kind can be
run through in less than a minute.
Parking Fine Payment.
An even more efficient arrangement
has been worked out for parking viola
tions. The parker, If he so desires, can
stipulate that he is guilty, deposit a
S1.75 fine at the police station and 90
home. If he goes to court he is vir-
tually certain to be convicted and is
still fined $1.75, plus $3.50 costs. AS a
result, the judge is not bothered much
with parking cases. Sometimes a sin
gle officer will bring so or more of
these uncontested cases and run them
through in few minutes.
The number of motorists who ignore
traffic tickets here is something less
than per cent. The explanation is
simple. When man ignores a ticket
warrant for his arrest Is issued and
served Immediately In court he is
fined S. or $40, plus costs, and receives
calling down he will long remember.
Condition in Washington.
In Washington the reverse is true.
Many motorists pay little or no atten-
ton to traffic ticket, and there now
are thousands Of traffic warrants out
standing. The motorist knows he can
put on the day Of reckoning until he
has to get new license tags, resulting
IN serious congestion when they all
come In at once to settle up.
Judge Page devotes is minutes once
week to radio broadcast of actual
traffic hearings, and believes this has
been a powerful influence in keeping
down traffic odenses. A good show
man, he Is able to impart the atmos-
phere Of the court room over the air
and also seizeS this opportunity to
lecture the listening public on good
and bad driving.
Another important factor is the
stringent vagrancy law here, which,
according to the judge, covers
multitude Of sins
Vagrant With S23,500.
Recently the police picked UP one
Titanic" Thomas for vagrancy, and
when brought into court he produced
$23,500 in cash. He was sen to Jail,
nevertheless, and later returned to
New York, where the police wanted
him for questioning in murder case.
In washington a person cannot be
held on a vagrancy charge If he or
she can show means of support.
Each policeman who comes TO court
Is entitled to $3.50 witness fee, paid
by the defendant. The officer, how
ever, does not get the money. which
goes into city fund used IN paying
police pensions and for similar pur-
poses. To guard against too much
police diligence in the interests of
this fund, the law fixes maximum
for police purposes of 100000 a year
and provides that the city must pay
1t II the fees and rewards are in
suficient.
Judge Sums Up Views.
In summing up his views, Judge
Page said:
I'VE really don't have o crime |