Los Angeles herald., 1909-03-11
ANTI-INJUNCTION
BILLS PROMISED
CONGRESS MAY HAVE TO FACE
PLATFORM ISSUES
REVISION OF FEDERAL LAWS TO
PRESENT PROBLEM
codification of Statutes Affecting
Jurisdiction Embraces Many OPP
portunities to Decide Vital
Questions

WASHINGTON, March 1O.-Through
an attempt to codify and revise the
laws affecting the Jurisdiction and
practices of the federal courts congress
may be brought face to face during
the special session with the necessity
of considering the proposed anti-ln-
junction bills and the equally trouble
some questions of conflict between fed
eral and state courts.
Within week after the siXty-f1rst
congress convenes the joint committee
on the revision of the laws of the
United States will be prepared to re-
port on the revision and coditication
of the laws concerning the jurisdiction
and practice of the federal courts.
The first work of this committee,
the codification and revision of the
penal laws, has just been approved by
congress, with a few amendments.
When the penal code bill was amend
cd with a rider the Knox Hum
phreys bill for the federal regulation
of the interstate shipment of 'intoXi-
eating liquors, so it is anticipated that
advocates of anti-injunction legislation
will attempt to graft their bill on the
judiciary codification.
Efforts will be made at the begin
ming of the special session to have the
senate consider the codification. The
work might be completed possibly, by
the time the tariff bill gets over from
the house.
Codification Measure
When the senate is considering the
tariff measure an attempt VIII be
made to bring the codification bill be-
fore the house.
Probably the most important change
in the judiciary laws determined upon
is that by which all the jurisdiction of
the circuit court of appeals is con-
ferred upon the circuit courts.
The committee proposes to take away
from the circuit court all original Ju-
risdction, giving 1t to the district
courts, and to change the name or the
"circuit court of appeals" to circuit
court"
The circuit court of appeals was es-
tablished to relieve the supreme court.
In 1890 a bill was enacted into law
which, while preserving the original
jurisdiction of the circuit courts, abol-
ished their appellate jurisdiction, ana
Instituted the circuit court OF appeals
to exercise an appellate jurisdiction
over certain final judgments and de-
crees of district courts while others
went directly to the supreme court.
The commission of 1897 to revise the
laws reported in favor of the abolition
of the original jurisdiction of the cir
cult courts.
AS the circuit courts without appel
late jurisdiction would have the au-
thority to try no cases. 1t is recon-
mended that the appellate jurisdiction
of the court of appeals devoiVe UPON
them.
This recommendation the joint COM
mittee is now prepared to present to
the senate and house.
Insurgents Speculate
in
dulging in much speculation at the
capitol today as to what would be the
policy of Speaker Cannon in selecting
the committees of the next house IN
the event that he Is successful i'll the
present fight.
The Democrats are apprehensive that
the speaker will assume the right TO
fill the minority as well as the major
ity places on the committees. Several
Democrats have appealed to the speak
err directly for appointments on certain
committees.
When John Sharp Williams was mi
nority leader Speaker Cannon referred
ali such applications to the minority
leader He has taken no such action
this time. Minority Leader Clark's
friends say he can interpret this course
in but one way.
There have been no conferences be-
tween the minority leader and the
scheduled.
The Democrats will make political
capitaI out of the failure to recognize
the minority leader
The Democrats will argue that this
is another illustration of the despotlc
power of the speaker.
Another possibility worrying both
the Democrats and insurgents Is that
Speaker Cannon may classify the IN
surgents as minority members Of the
house and make up committees on that
basis.
representation on the committees and
might prove embarrassing to the IN
Mr.. clark conferred today with Rep
resentatiyes Nelson and Gardner of the
insurgents.
rules was not to be abandoned, and 1t
was denied that the Democrats and in
surgents had entered into an agree
ment as to voting for any specific rule.
Democratic Caucus
The Democratic caucus probably will
be held next Monday before the house
convenes, and will adopt resolution
in favor of carrying out the pledge of
the Denver platform to reduce the
power of the speaker.
On the floor of the house the Demo-
position to adopt the rules They will
not allow that honor to go to.the I'm
sulgents."
The opposition of large number of
Democrats to the election of a COM
mittee to select the house committee
probably will defeat that plan of the
insurgents if an opportunity arises to
consider that amendment on the floor.
The proposition to have the commit
tee on rules elected by the house and
to bar the speaker from the committee
will have more Democratic support.
AS a further evidence of their de-
sire not to interfere with the tariff,
the insurgent leaders announced today
they were willing for the speaker to
appoint the committe" on ways and
means, the other committees to be
selected by committee on COM
mittees.
Motor Car Makes First Trip