The Detroit times., 1910-10-14

ciafs chief duty was ID guide the
course of the chief magistrate along
legal lines. Since that time his duties
have expanded until today he Is
charged with the work OF prosecuting
attorney for the government, admins
tratiye control Of the court system OF
the country and the supervision OF
tne federal prisons.
When the attorney-gcneralship first
was created 1t carried with 1t a sal
airy OF only $500 q year. and the at
torney-general was supposed TO pay
his clerks salary out Of that. He was
not required to reside in Washington,
and was permitted to continue his
private law practice while serving as
attorney-general Of the United States.
In 1914 the duties OF his ONCE were
Increased, but It was not until 1870
that 1t was transformed into a full
nedged department of the govern
ment. The encouragement was the
only member OF the cabinet who prior
to 1870 did not have charge OF de-
| partment.
When congress passes an act OF
Retaliation, 1t usually Is the workman
ship Of many hands. The original
bill Is amended and reamended until
IL often bears but few marks or its
original authorship. The result Is that
completed act very often Is patch
work OF ideas, and not especially not
cd for It's perspicacity OF expression.
II IL often difficuit to understand just
what congress meant to say, and some
times one must read carefully the
voluminous debates OF the house and
senate before he can interpret correct
" the meaning of its legislation. This
gives rise to differences OF opinion as
20 the true meaning OF many legisla-
tive acts, and to many controversies
before the department and in the
courts. An instance OF this has been
the construction OF the pure food law.
That law left much doubt as TO ex-
actly what constitutes a violation. II
was this that led to the propounding
OF the famous query: What is whis-
ky" That question was thrashed out
In the department of agriculture, and
finally carried up to the attorney-gen-
eral.
The constitution OF the United
States provides that suits may not be
brought against the government by
individuals. In cases where individ-
uals have claims against the govern
ment that may not be carried to the
court OF claims, Ii becomes the duty
Of the sttorney-general to sit In judy
ment and make recommendations to
the president N the premises. His
decision practically amounts to a final
verdict. against which there is no ap-
peal.
The department OF justice acts as
title attorney for the government.
The law provides that no money may
be expended for lands or buildings by
any OF the executive departments UNI
al the question of title has been set
tied. As Uncle Sam Is heavy realty
owner, and is always In the market
Tor additional property. the work OF
the department as title attorney en-
cages the attention of q considerable
force.
In the role OF prosecuting attorney
Tor the government the department OF
Justice looks after all actions at law
or suits in equity In which the United
States has an interest. III q moon
shiner violates the revenue laws he is
placed In custody OF a United States
marshal and Ii prosecuted by a dis
trfct attorney, under the general d.
rection OF the department OF justice.
IL man IL accused Of robbing the
malls he IL arrested by the inspectors