The Detroit times., 1910-10-14
The GOVERNMENT AT WORK
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIM

OF the postoffice department and turn.
ed over TO the local officers OF the de-
partment OF justice for prosecution.
There are more violations OF the inter
nal revenue laws than OF any other
class OF federal statutes. Postal laws.
customs laws, and pension laws rank
In the order named with respect 10
the frequency OF their violation. The
department OF justice has no control
over the federal courts SO far as the
judges are concerned, but the district
attorneys. the United States marshals,
and the clerks OF the courts, act under
It's guidance. They are appointed by
the president with the advice and con-
sent OF the senate. But the attorney
general Is nearly always consulted be-
fore the appointments are made, and
In the discharge OF their Official duties
they are expected to be guided by the
advice and recommendations OF the
department OF justice.
In the civil suits brought by or
against the government great inter
ests often are involved. Such a suit
may relate to the constitutionality OF
an income tax law and involve untold
millions OF dollars. This was the case
when the income tax provision OF the
Wilson tariff law was declared uncon-
stitutional by the supreme court. BY
that decision the court took away from
the federal government millions of
dollars In taxes. The suits against
the enforcement OF the corporation
tax provision OF the Payne tariff law
are another instance OF the character
OF actions the government. through
the department OF justice, is called
upon 10 defend.
The attorney-generai seldom APP
pears in person In court except In
cases OF great gravity involving the
construction of the constitution. He
may appear in any court OF the federal
judiciary II he desires to do so. His
chief assistant Is the solicitor general,
who Is sort Of flying squadron In the
organization OF the department OF JUS
time, ready TO move on q moments
notice to the assistance OF any other
oncial or the department, or that OF
any district attorney who may be in
need OF his advice and counsel. In
the absence or disability OF the attor-
ney-general. the solicitor-general per-
forms the duties OF the head OF the
department. Under the direction OF
the attorney-general he has supervi-
sion or all cases before the supreme
court In which the government Is In
terested. He also assists his chief in
the preparation OF opinions for the
guidance of the president and the
members OF his cabinet. and in the
directions OF the law officers OF the
0OVQrnmanf fhrOttuhnItf ha
Next in rank In the department is
the assistant to the attorney general.
He Is the chief trust buster" OF the
government. and has charge of all
suits relating to the Sherman anti
trust law and other like legislation.
Notable cases that have come under
his charge are those OF the Standard
OIL company and the Beef Trust In
the prosecution OF such suits he works
in conjunction with the district attor-
neys In the courts which have juris-
diction over them.
There are a number CT assistant at
torneys-general in the department.
Three Of these have their Offices with
the department and acts under the
direction OF the encouragement and
his chief assistant. Another Is in
charge OF all suits brought against the
government In the court OF claims.
This court has been established by
congress for the purpose of passing
upon the claims of those who have
sustained damages at the hands OF
the army or OF any other government
agency, and who have no relief In the
ordinary channels OF court procedure.
Congress gives 1t original Jurisdiction
over certain kinds of claims. and sends
to 1t, by resolution, other claims which
1t would have no right to consider ex-
cept upon the strength OF such resolu-
ton. Another looks after claims grow
ing out OF depredations committed by
Indians who are still under the con-
troll OF the government.
In addition to these officials there Is
an assistant attorney-general for the
interior department. As that depart
ment deals with all. Indian affairs and
public land questions, both OF which
involve a great many fine points OF
law, this officer Is a busy man. The
secretary OF the interior and his as
sistants are guided by him In the legal
aspects Of their work. The solicitor