Evening star., 1954-04-29

sheriff and fined $500. The re-
porter was given a 500 fine, and
the photographer got a sus-
pended sentence.
When the matter was carried
to the Court of Appeals. it up
held the sentences.
1t ruled that Judge Silbert was
well within his rights in pro-
hibiting pictures. It said one
Of a judges duties is to insure
that there are no untoward dis
fractions, even in a routine
judicial proceeding not taking
place before a jury.
The press then announced it
would take the case to the Ohio
Supreme Court. Editor Louis B.
Seltzer said:
1T is our basic argument
that Photographic science has
made picture-taking in a court
room essentially no different
thSn a reporter covering a trial
with his pad and pencil"
Photographers Barred.
An extreme application Of
Canon IS took place at Green's
burg, Pa.
County judges there banned
photographers from any part Of
the courthouse premises during
the murder trial of John Wesley
Wable. accused of slayings on
the Pennsylvania turnpike.
Newspaper and photographers
associations protested without
success. The Greensburg Trib-
une-Review took the matter to
higher courts in a test subse-
quently Joined by the Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette.
A Federal judge modified the
ban to permit pictures in court
house corridors with permission
of the subjects. This proved of
little help, and so far there has
been no decision settling the
basic question.
Meanwhile, in Colorado, q
combined newspaper-radio at
tack on Canon 35 has produced
a long and lively series of Incl
dents.
The Denver Post reported that
Denver newspapers were making
considerable headway with a
local pictures-in-court program,
demonstrating that they could
be taken unnoticed.
However, Bar Association op-
position finally led Denver judges
to adopt the rule against pic
lures and broadcaSts.
The next day, challenge
came from Radio Station KGMC
OF suburban Englewood.
r. B. McAlister, co-owner of
the station. and an engineer
made a tape recording in Den
yer District Court as Judge Ed
ward G. Day sentenced a mur-
derer to be executed.
Recording Broadcast.
Mr.. McAlister held the micro
phone in a courtroom doorway.
The tape recorder itself was in
the hallway outside. The Judge
was unaware of what was taking
place.
Shortly afterward, the record
ing was broadcast by the radio
station, and the Bar Association
announced it would seek to have
the station cited for contempt.
Later, however, the bar group
recommended to Judge Day that
no action be taken.
The newspaper campaign will
be continued, though the next
move has not been determined.
Ed Dooley. managing editor
Of the Post, said:
Modern courtroom photog-
raphy with concealed cameras is
an extension of the reporter and
his pencil in fulfilling the peo-
pies right to know what is 60
ing on in their courts.'
The Oklahoma City case ap-
peared to represent the widest
latitude yet given courtroom
photography.
WKY-TV was permitted to
install motion picture camera
in an inclosed booth in the
courtroom. The lens poked
through a small opening and
no special lighting was used.
Microphones were placed so as
not to disturb proceedings.
Judge A. p. Van Meter ex-
pressed this view:
TOO often what is said or
shown about courts is not a true
portrayal. If television can pre-
sent courts as they actually
function. this should be a real
public service"
Other recent actions around
the country:
Washington, d. C.-The JUS
tice Department told United
States marshals not to interfere
with cameramen photographing
prisoners anywhere outside Fed
eral courthouses. Inside. they
will abide by any rules laid down
by the Federal judges presiding
in each place.
Utah-The Utah DiStrict