Evening star., 1944-04-30
CourtConf|icts
Seen Adding 10.
Mixup
Attorney Says Police
Are Handicapped
In Enforcement
Ry JOSEPH YOUNG

ny JOSkfh xoUNO.
Attempts to enforce fire safety
measures in District rooming and
boarding houses have been seriously
handicapped by conflicting deci-
sions between the criminal and civil
branches of Municipal Court in
dealing with these types of viola
tions, a veteran court prosecutor
declared last night.
Even If the police, who have been
criticized for "laxity," check prem
ises denied licenses for lack of fire
protection equipment. the situation
still is complicated by "contradic-
tory decisions" said the official, who
asked that his name not be used.
In some instances, he said, room
ing house operators who cannot
meet fire safety standards have
filed suit in the civil division to
evict their tenants in an effort to
comply with the law.
Unsuccessful in their eviction ef-
forts, the rooming house operators
then have been convicted and fined
in the criminal division for operat-
ing an unlicensed rooming house,
the prosecutor said. The licenses
had been denied because the prem
ises lacked sufficient fire safety
equipment - which the rooming
house operators we're aware of when
they tried to evict their tenants.
Judges Reluctance Justified.
The official admitted, however,
that Municipal Court judges hardly
can be blamed in some instances for
thelr reluctance to order mass evic-
tions of tenants, many of whom
would have no place to 60.
AS a result of the conflicting de-
cisions, much confusion has resulted
with tenants and landlords both un-
decided on their course of action. it
was said.
There can't be much of a solu-
tion to the problem until after the
war when needed materials can be
obtained for the use of safety equip
ment, he said. In some cases, how
ever, 1t is imperative that tenants
be ordered evicted "for their own
safety" he said.
153 Face Court This Week.
Meanwhile, 153 unlicensed roomine
house operators here will be sum-
moned to Municipal Court this week
as result of decision reached
at meeting Of District and police
officials held at police Headquarters
Yesterday. The meeting was called
by Commissioner John Russell
Young.
In addition, hundreds who have
taken in roomers while their applica-
lions Tor licenses still are pending
also will face court action. Officials
estimated that in the third precinct
alone there are approximately 300
establishments operating without the
necessary license
The meeting was called after the
criticism of police "laxity" in check
ing premises denied licenses because
they lacked freproof facilities.
Misunderstanding Cleared Up.
Of1cials reported that a series of
misunderstanding on the part of
police were cleared up at the meet
ing presided over by Assistant Cor
poration Counsel Edward w. T'hom-
as. Many policemen said they had
been under the impression that
summons for premises condemned
because of health reasons should be
issued by the Health Department.
Mr.. Thomas cleared up the matter
by telling the officers they were to
issue the summons.
In answer to police complaints
that 1T was too much work to prove
that more than four persons besides
members of the family lived in the
premises, for the purpose of deter
mining whether the place is a room
ing house, Mr.. Thomas said sum-
mons should be issued anyway. In
these instances, he said, a hearing
would be held in his office to de-
termlne whether the place is q
rooming house.
AT the same time the inquiry into
enforcement of fire safety rules, be-
gun Friday by the House District
Appropriations Subcommittee, will
be continued this week under plans
announced by Chairman Coffee.