Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-09-20
PrinceGeorges
Justices Face
Po|iceCharges
Two Magistrates
Are Accused of
Work Misconduct


Two Prince Georges County jus
tices of the peace have been callet
on the carpet on complaints from
county, State and municipal po
lice.
The justices, both committin,
magistrates who work full timt
for an annual salary of only 81, 80l
annually. were hailed before tn
county commissioners at Hyatts.
vile yesterday to hear tn,
charges.
They were Judge George Phil.
lips, u, Of Berwyn. a magistrate
for more than 20 years, and Judge
Herman Rudolph, 50, of Capito
Heights, who was appointed K
the job in May, 1851.
Accused of Misconduct.
A dozen policemen appeared tx
testify against Mr.. Rudolph anc
accused him of numerous in.
stances of misconduct in the
performance of his work. The
commissioners also heard Mr.
Rudolph's side and then took the
matter under Amusement.
There were fewer complaints
lodged against Mr.. Phillips yester.
day and the latter asked for a
written copy of all charges. Be-
cause of this, the commissioners
agreed to continue hearing this
testimony in another session al
HyattSville at 10 am, October 8
One principal disagreement be-
tween police and the magistrates
involved the issuance of warrants.
Police said the two magistrates
sometimes refused to issue war
rants. The justices said, however,
they believed they had the right
to fully examine all cases brought
before them and to make decisions
on what steps should be taken.
Chief Tells of Complaints.
Judge Rudolph was told at the
outset that his work had been
considered unsatisfactory" by
County Police Chief F. Allen Rich
ards.
Said Chief Richards: IT have
hundreds of complaints from my
men and other QUEENSTOWN po-
lice-not only about Judge Ru-
dolph but Judge Phillips, too"
Mr.. Rudolph, who is assigned
to the midnight to 8 am. shift at
the County Service Building, Hy-
attSville, was accused of leaving
an hour or so early each day, of
using profanity at the police sta
ton. and of refusing to write GER
tain warrants. He also was &C
cused of not turning in all money
posted as collateral over to the
county's trial magistrate court
Office, and of considering himself
as having to answer only to the
Governor. Magistrates are ap-
pointed by the Governor but paid
by the county.
He denied the charges and
strongly protested he was guilty
Of no misconduct.
81 turned in everything I'm
getting and I haven't done any,
thing wrong" he declared. IT
try to do my duty to the best of
my ability"
Admits Leaving Early.
Judge Rudolph admitted leav-
ing early each day, explaining
that he took no lunch hour during
the night and was entitled to take
1t at the end of his shift.
His accusers, in addition to
Chief Richards, included Pvts.
James H. Vincent and George
Thornberry of county police; Pvts.
Elmer Thompson and Charles E.
Williams of Hyattsville city po-
lice; Pvt. James Scheuch. Bla-
densburg police, and Capt. Carl B.
Dillinger. commander of the State
police barracks at Waterloo. A
half-dozen others also appeared
but did not testify after it was
asserted they would follow the
same line of testimony.
The policemen said there were
inconsistencies over the writing
Of warrants and setting of collat-
eral, hearing dates and places.
Several times, they charged, Judge
Rudolph would not write out a
warrant because he believed the
accused were not guilty.
To this Commissioner Daniel
Abbott asserted: I think you're
exceeding your authority. You're
q committing magistrate, not a
trial magistrate"
Cited In Mental Case.
Judge Phillips was cited, in one
instance. for not preparing a war
rant in mental case brought in
by Mount Rainier police. To
which the justice replied: IT deny
all allegations set forth. I'm not
handling medical cases."
He said he considered it his
duty to examine all cases for
probable cause" and added he
was mot going to subject him.
self to civil suit for falsely i'm
prisoning any one"
Judge Phillips, asking for copies
OF the complaints to prepare his
defense better, said he had a lot
of confidence in members Of the
various police departments, but
added many needed instructions
as to the law.
There is a lot of confusion that
exists in little cubby-holes," he
asserted.
Won't Be Dictated To.
Mr.. Phillips said he was an at
torney and the only committee
magistrate in the county who helc
such status. He said he was "not
going to be dictated to by any po-
lice" and would not Ego into col.
luSionS with any one"