Judge Pancoast Proves to 2 That Honesty is Best Policy


Camden Courier-Post – June 3, 1933

If theres anything Police Judge Pancoast doesnt like it’s to have people trying to fool him, he said. So yesterday Pancoast sent two alleged speakeasy inmates to jail for 60 days and gave the confessed proprietor only 50 days.

Emil Hatter, 35, of 829 Carpenter Street, was arrested for violating the ordinance prohibiting congregation of disorderly persons on the premises by Lieutenant Herbert Anderson Thursday. Hatter told the court that he was proprietor and was in the illegal liquor business to provide for his two children.

"That’s no excuse," said the judge, "you should provide for them without breaking the law."

He fined Hatter $50 and sentenced him to 50 days when he was unable to pay. The judge then turned to Edward Mackay, 38, of 531 Ray street, and Alfred Brooks, 45, of 700 Pearl Street, who, Anderson said, were drunk in Hatter’s establishment.

Both men admitted having a few drinks, elsewhere, but insisted they were sober and that they did not buy the drinks from Hatter.

"I’m good and tired of having people trying to fool me," said Pancoast. "I don’t know what they take me for. I’m going to end it, though, by giving each of you 60 days."

Unable to pay a fine of $100, George Young, 29, colored, 954 South Ninth Street, was sentenced to 100 days when he pleaded guilty to operating a "washboiler" still in violation of the city speakeasy ordinance. His wife, Ethel, 19, and Annie Fussel, 37, of 614 Chestnut Street, alleged inmates, were given 30 days each in default of $25 fines.


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