“A Joke and a Farce.”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10723, 22 October 1928, Page 8

“A Joke and a Farce.”

BOOTLEG GERSI ‘ ‘BARGAIN-DAY’’ FINES'. Assemblyman Louis' A/ Cuvillier, who is also a war veteran and a lawyer.; asked leniency , recently, for lire client, Joseph Kurtz of Stamford, Conn., also a war'veteran, .who liad pleaded - guilty iii the Federal Court of possessing liquor. He . said Kurtz had taken, a . job in: a, speakeasy (a place in which, liquor is illicitly sold) - in'B7th street, because lie could find no other work. When ■ the place was raided lie was ; caught. *•; Kurtz was fined 50 dollars. . ; After the-hearing -Sir. Cuvillier. told reporters of a'letter lie had written to the Bar Association J condemning the practice of making a bargain, day on liquor violations in the Federal Court, in which small offenders who plead J guilty are let off. with - fines of 10 dollars to- 50 dollars, and “go right back to bootlegging if they desire” (reports the New, York ‘World’). ' After-the cases of .187 defendants.'liad . boon disposed of -in . the bargain-day manner. Judge; Meekins referred to the matter as .'follows: , “It .is something of a joke; and a farce to me, too, but- the - Federal attorneys her© tell ilia, it,';is a' custom necessary, to clear flie; calendar, therefore I'am following; it.”)-’ - - ■ ' • - y. ■