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I left New Orleans for Mobile. The only way I knew I had crossed the Mississippi State line was the change of U. S. highway markers. There was no sign or control station or officer on duty to warn me of what was to follow. Bay St. Louis is the first town I reached. Still no sign. I proceeded through town. At the outskirts I was stopped by a patrol car with an officer and another person, whom I found out later was the "witness." I was asked for my permit. I asked what sort of permit was necessary and was told that all commercial vehicles must have a permit, which, in my case, would cost $2. I said that inasmuch as there was no control station or officer on duty at the State line I assumed that no permit was necessary, basing my assumption on the fact that such was the case in other States; but I also said I would gladly comply with the law and asked him where to obtain the permit. I was then "arrested" without further ado. They took me back to the court house. I was brought before the Justice of the Peace and the only preamble to the case was a terse remark by the arresting officer—"Here's another one."
The Justice immediately began to scribble on a pad. I asked him what it was all about and was told to keep quiet until he finished writing. He then looked up and said, "Fine and costs will be $8.05." I demanded to know why he fined me without letting me state my case and was informed that 'under the law" he could fine me anything he wished from $1 to $100 and if I didn't keep quiet he would raise the fine. It then began to dawn on me that I was in a spot so I shut up. I paid the $8.05 and was handed a "Fee Bill." It is interesting reading and a tip off on Mississippi mathematics. The arresting officer stuffed the money in his pocket.
I asked if the case was closed and was told that it was. I then asked if I could ask some questions without being fined again and was told that I could ask but that an answer would not necessarily be made. I asked when the ordinance had been passed relative to commercial vehicles. The answer was 1934. I asked to see a copy of the ordinance. The Justice couldn't find one. The arresting officer couldn't find one but the "witness" finally produced one from his coat pocket. On examination of this I found that my license would have been $2. Now here is the peculiar part of the whole transaction. The fine of $8.05 was itemized under various headings but NONE OF THESE SUB HEADINGS INCLUDED THE PRICE OF THE PERMIT. I asked about this and was told that payment of the fine released me from paying the permit. A closer examination of the fee bill showed me that the money was divided as follows: Justice of the Peace fees $3.15 Arresting officer's fee 2.90 Fine 1.00 Witness fee 1 .00 total $8.05