THE SEAMY SIDE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1188, 10 December 1924, Page 12

THE SEAMY SIDE

TALES TOLD IN THE COUNTY COURT. DEBT-DODGERS AND THEIR DEVICES. (By R. E. Corder in tlio Daily Mail). Whitechapel County Court is a place supported by Jewish creditors for tho benefit of Jewish debtors. It is a place where a Gentile is rarely seen. There has not been a Christian jury in this court for more than 20 years, and as the members are chosen alphabetically, the spectacle of twelve Solomons come to judgment is not rare. Jews owe money to Jews, but a Jewish debtor does not go to prison. 01 ten the creditor pays the costs of the debtor to keep him out of gaol. Never has it been known for a Jew to he disrespectful in court, but the rows outside are sometimes sufficient to attract the notice of tho lire brigade. Yesterday not one Christian came up either as debtor or creditor, while in the body of the court there was no idle, morbid curiosity that marks the audience at a police court. Here in Whitechapel everybody was either a principal or the relative of* a principal.

His Honour Judge Cluer is revered throughout tho Ghetto as the man who can’t be deceived. A smile is always playing round his lips, but his eyes remain cold and critical. He is wise and witty and sometimes cynical, but always he is a fair judge whose decisions are rarely, if ever upset on uppeal. 1 * * * * *

A fried-fish monger at Deptford was sued for a debt of £2o which he had borrowed without interest. Although lie admitted his business was situated in one of the busiest places in London, he declared lie made nothing out of it.

Judge Ciuer’s keen blue eyes gleamed, and in his gentle voice he said: “You seem to be living on your losses. It reminds me of the Russian system. ‘I owe you money and will see you a long way before I pay it, and unless you lend me more I shan’t do any more trade.’ This debt has been owing for two years and seven months. You are a dishonest trader, and you must pay £7 a month or go to prison for a month.” * * * . * *

Judge Cluer is merciless in his questioning of debt-dodgers, and such is his intimate knowledge of local geography that he knows the rents and rateable value of every street in the neighbourhood. “I am not living at homo,” said a debtor.

“Are you cheating an hotel ?”■ asked the judge mildly. * * *

“His business has been assigned to his wife,” mourned a creditor.

“Another of the good old regular devices,” snapped Judge Cluer. “The debtor has got rid of one of his principal assets in favour of his wife. They all do it, and it should not be allowed.” *’* * * *

As he turns over the statements of claim the judge makes crisp comments. “Here is a costermonger who, not liking the name, calls himself a traveller. And here is a costumier —well, he has paid something. He is better than most of them. He is not entirely honest. H’m. Business absolutely at a standstill. Expects other executions. He has managed to live on the simplicity of his creditors, and lie has contrived to "et credit all over London, living by cheating.” “I have not cheated,” protested the debtor. “Oh, yes, you have,” said his honour. “Getting credit when you are unable to pay is cheating. Still, you have paid something, and you will go on paving £1 a month.” * * * * * Often the judge is on the side of the debtor. “He will pay if he is pressed. He has got the money,” urged a creditor. “Oh, no, lie hasn’t,” murmured Judge Cluer, “or you would not have left him alone for two years.” * * * * * “Business has been so slack owing to tho holidays,” pleaded an old Jewish tailor. “Then don’t have holidays,” advised his honour. * * * # * A young girl to whom money was duo under a compensation order which the judge had power to administer asked for an increase in tho weekly payments. “1 observe,” said Judge Cluer. “that in your expenses you have put down £2O for clothes. 'Why do you want to spend so much on dress? I know clothes are dear, hut a good way to reduce the price is to do without them, and the prices will soon come down. I shall allow you £1 a week.”