Evening star., 1942-04-06
Plan 10 Consolidate
Two D. T.. Courts
PIeases Judges
New Municipal TribunuIe
Expected to Result
In Prompt Trials

IN TTofHPt IIIuiS
Judges and employees Of Police and
Municipal Courts, waiting for the
expiration of the prescribed time
limit before legislation goes into ef-
feet to consolidate the two as the
Municipal Court for the District
are unanimous in the opinion that
Justice will be better served by the
change.
The bill was signed by President
Roosevelt Thursday and will become
q law three months from that date.
Provision also Is made in the new
legislation for a Municipal Appeals
Court, judges of which will be named
one month from the day Of the Chief
Executives signature.
Judge George D. Nelson Of Police
Court said he believed the consolida-
ton will have far-reaching effect
in the interest of justice, efficiency
and economy" and will result in
prompt trial of cases.
Fewer Jury Cases Seen.
lone of the most important re-
Number of jury cases in our court"
(Police Court, Judge Nelson de-
clared.
He added he hoped the presiding
Judge over the consolidated court, as
provided for in the measure, will
establish two criminal jury courts
until the number of jury cases are
reduced, insuring speedy trial.
Judge Nelson said thorough CO.
operation will be needed on the part
of all judges of the consolidated
court If 1t Is to function to best
advantage.
Judge Nelson deplored long de-
lays as have been experienced in
Jury branch of Police Court, declar-
ing they defeat justice" particu-
larly when the delays cause witnesses
to lose interest or even to forget es-
sential facts.
Mattingly Calls Plan wonderful"
Judge Robert E. Mattingly, veteran
turist of the present Municipal
Court, declared the bill for the con-
solidation lis wonderful thing"
He said it will bring the combined
courts up to date in trial of all cases,
as well as relieve the higher District
Court of some of its burden by ex-
tending the jurisdiction of Municipal
Court from a maximum of 81 900 in
civil cases to $1,000. Likewise, Judge
Mattingly felt it would relieve the
United States Court of Appeals Of
many cases.
Three other judges, asked about
the measure, expressed hearty ap-
proval They asked not to be quoted
at this time.
Under the new measure one ad-
ditional Judge viii be added to the
present total of nine in the Police
and Municipal Courts, making 10
for the consolidated courts. Three
judges viii be named to the Munic-
ipal Court of Appeals.
Judge Mattingly to Retire.
Judge Mattingly, veteran OF %
years service as jurist and who has
been appointed by five different
Presidents, intends to retire, he said
yesterday, when his successor is
named. The terms of his last ap-
pointment already has expired, but
under the law he is to serve until a
successor is appointed.
The terms Of Judge Walter j.
Casey also has expired. Judge Casey
Is one of several mentioned for pre-
siding judge of the new Municipal
Court.
Allowing for the expected reap
pointment of Judge Casey, this
leaves a total of six other judges
to be appointed, three to the Mu-
nicipal Court of Appeals. The other
three include the additional judge
for the consolidated court, a sue
cessor to the late Judge George G.
Aukam of Municipal Court, who died
last fall, and a judge to be named
rs Judge Mattingly's successor.
In the present Municipal Court,
It was pointed out by attaches, cases
generally are up to date. The jury
cases there, it was said, have pre-
sented no problem by piling up like
they have in Police Court.
Housing Problem Created.
A problem, but not serious one,
In connection with the new con-
solidated court will be that OF
housing.
In the Police Court Building there
Is a courtroom and Office space for
one judge which is not being used,
in addition to four courtrooms
which are being utilized.
In the present Municipal Court
there are seven courtrooms which
have been used by five judges and
additional space that could be con-
verted into courtrooms. The new
Municipal Court of Appeals will
need only one courtroom.
Edward P Brooke, superintendent
of the District Building and men,
ber of the Commissioners Commit
tee on Space for District Agencies,
has looked over the buildings to
determine what should be done. Mr..
Brooks said final decision would rest
with the Commissioners.
The new setup may mean moving
the Offices of T. Gillespie Walsh,
chairman of the Commission on
Mental Health, as we'll as the Office
of Albert F. Jordan, superintendent
of insurance, both of whom oc-
cupy space on the third floor of the