Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-23
Not to Be Condonedp

Not to Be Condoned
Thank you for the Novem-
Der 10 editorial, mot to Be
Condoned."
I am surprised at the lack
Of sensitivity Of Arlington
police in invading a couples
bedroom for q parking ticket.
1 am amazed and distressed
by the callousneSs Of the
county's manager, who views
the Stephens incident as
routine"
John s. Miller.
4 4 4 4
I feel compelled to protest
the condemnation levied by
politicians and your editorial
of November 10 against the
Arlington officers who made
the so-called bedroom ar
rest"
Upon careful reading Of the
news account Of events lead
ing to this arrest, it is my
personal opinion that every
consideration was given the
accused prior to the arrest.
The fact that the ticket had
remained unpaid since Sep
TENDER s, the fact that q
warning Of warrant service
had been given, the fact that
the accused had been re-
ouested to telephone police
regarding the matter are all
indications Of respect for the
private rights Of these indi-
viduals.
However, these facts also
appear to be rather strong
indications Of q disrespect Of
the law by the accused and
disrespect Of the rights OF
other individuals to expect
enforcement Of the law. The
time for concern by the ac-
cused was on September 6,
not November Is. after more
than two months Of fragrant
disregard of the original no
tification Of law violation.
Much ado has been made
over the triviality Of the
original offense. This is lu-
dicrous. One can no more
break the law "a little bit"
than one can be dead "a little
Bit" We cannot set exam
pies of honor or virtue for
prospective juvenile delin-
quents, nor can we instill in
ourselves or others safe-driv-
ing practices as long as we
hold little laws" or minor
violations in low regard.
The National Safety Coun-
Gil urges the Nations citizens
to demand strict traffic-law
enforcement as one cure for
the horrible toll Of highway
deaths each year. How much
announcement do we give
police officials. how much
morale do we build among
police officers. how much re-
spect do we build for the law
when we engage in express
sions of maudlin sentiment
and idiotic outrage in regard
to legal service Of q warrant
on persons who utterly ig-
more all less offensive
means to get them to respond
to q two-month-old notice OF
violation?
MY sympathies and sup
port 60 to the officers max
ing the arrest. Ny sympa-
thies and support will nevel
20 to scofiiaws.
J. Barry Trout.
4 =.
I am so grateful for you
editorial, Not to Be Con-
doned."
It was outrageous Of those
policemen to behave the way
they did. Three Of them fol
an overtime parking incident
And they're always covered
I'D for by their superiors and
by their fellow policemen
They get away with every
thing, and it seems to b
getting worse by the day.
G. w.
Throughout q long life
have learned that. except iH
my court, there are thre'
sets Of laws: One for TIT
rich, one for the poor ant
one for the women.
I have had a wholesome
respect for The Star, but tina
editorial was so wrong I mus
take issue with you. Besides
think Of the harm a news
paper can do when It per
mits maudlin sentiment h
govern its judgment ant
weeps all over the editoris
page.
I'm as severe on the polio
as anyone when they ar
wrone--and they do go wron
occasionally. But when the,
are right I'll back them b
the hilt. There is entirely to
much fiouting Of the law II
this country. Americans hav
been notorious for that habi
and should not be encourage
to continue II. Little Rocl