The San Francisco call., 1909-09-05
ASKS THE JUDGES
TO HEED PROMISES
Attorney Reminds Jurists They
Have Forgotten Ante-
Election Agreements

Like the ghosts of reckless youth
tide. the ante-election promises made
by several members of the San Fran
cisco judiciary were hauled forth from
their happy slumbers and Haunted in
their faces yesterday by Attorney
Stephen Y. Costello.
The promises were those by which
these judges bound themselves on their
political honor TO work some means OF
wage earners could secure prompt Jus
tice or decisions in their legal battles.
While the ante-election ghost was
made to Jig directly before Judge
George III. Cabaniss, as presiding judge
of the superior court, the dance was by
no means for his sole benefit All the
judges who made the promises were
respectfully requested to step up and
take IN the show. Costello wrote TO
Judge cabaniss recalling the promise
made by the latter. but he also men
toned the names of several others who
were equally obiiging-before the cleo
tion.
CosTELLO's LETTER
His letter reads:
Sometime anterior to the late election
where judicial candidates were voted
ed. to such candidates with particular
reference to the expedition Of the trial
OF cases wherein people In moderate
lions to recover damages for personal
injuries to wage earners and also me-
chanics lien suits and other actions
ent upon their daily labor for their
existence and the sustenance OF their
families.
Among other interrogatories pro-
pounded to the judicial candidates was
lows:
viii you vote for and support the
proposition TO have sufficient num-
Der OF departments of the superior
court set aside for the exclusive trial
OF personal injury cases. in order that
All such cases shall have prompt and
speedy hearing"
Your Honor in response to this in
terrogatery very properly stated that
the condition of a wage Garner suing
to recover damages for injuries re-
cefved from the neglect of another
and thereby incapacitated from follow
Ing his trade or occupation, appealed
TO you as one which should be heard
promptly. and that IN the event OF your
election you would do all that you
legally could to bring such causes to
an early and immediate hearing.
RESPONSES WE'RE ENCOURAGING
1 might say that responses equally
encouraging in tone with that of your
honor were received by the San Fran
cisco labor council from the Hon H A.
Melvin. now associate justice Of the
supreme court. and from the Hon. John
Hunt: also the Hon. John 3. Van Nos
trand. Hon. George A. Sturtevant. and
the Hon. Frank II. Dunno, now mem
bers OF the superior bench of this city
and county. and also from the Hon.
James A Cooper. presiding judge Of
the district court of appeal.
great many months have elapsed
since the late election. and the condi-
ton of Affairs with reference to the
congestion OF the calendars is as yet
unchanged 1 address this communi-
cation to your honor for the reason
that as presiding Judge the remedy is
absolutely in your hands. 1t is pro-
vided in section 81 OF the code Of civil
the city and county of San Francisco
shall distribute the business of the
court among the judges thereof. and
prescribe the order of business. Under
this section Of the code of civil pro-
cedure your honor would have ample
departments for the trial of personal
injury cases and cognate causes in
order TO relieve the present congestion.
CALENDARS ARE CoNGEsTED
It Is a remarkable fact that while
there is some slight delay incidental to
the administration Of Justice under any
system of Jurisprudence. and in nearly
every state and city. there is no such
depiorable condition of affairs known
anywhere as now exists in the city and
county of San Francisco, and this OBJ
dition of the calendars in the superior