The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-31
NEW YEAR PRESENT FROM UNCLE SAM Will Consolidate District and Circuit Courts KILL MANY POSITIONS Circuit Courts Cease to Exist Jam uary 1, 1912, and Many Clerks
 and Court Attaches Will
 Be Dismissed
KILL MANY POSITIONS

cures they have been enjoying for years.
 It comes about through the consolida- ton of all the district and circuit courts in the United States, and follows the re- cent recommendations of Secretary Meyer of the navy and Chief of Staff Leonard Wood of the army, and there Is strength in consultations and combinations, II not great economy.
 On January 1, 1912, all circuit courts of the United States will cease to exist likewise the salaries of all the clerks and employees attached to them will cease. On the same date the various district courts in the country will have conferred upon them by the United States Congress additional power and influence. This new order of things springs out of the re- cent action of the United States Con- gress in perfecting the new judicial code, that caused so much debate and divided both Houses of Congress into hostile camps of acrimonious statesmen. On this date 27 United States circuit courts will cease to do business at the PIC places they have been accustomed to meet.
 Gradually the trend of governmental ar- fairs has followed closely the progress Of the industrial world. The history of large industries has been made up largely by the gigantic trusts that have been formed in this country. Springing from small enterprises, many industries have developed into combinations, consolida- tions or monopolies, until recently the United States has let it's affairs travel in primitive ways. Departments have been created by the government to con- duct it's business, until the whole ma- chinery Of the government has been builded into a colossal enterprise. Some departments overlap others, some have very little work to do while still others have practically all the work to per form.
 In the army and navy there have re- cently been installed modern business methods, including in their scope the eon- solidation of various offices and bureaus. This has resulted nsplacng these or ganizations on a better and more pre- pared foundation administratively and economically. Other departments followed suit The treasury department practical ly has eliminated it's secret service bu- reau, it having been consolidated with the bureau of investigation of the de- partment of justice. The department of commerce and labor has absorbed the census bureau, although that bureau IS more of an independent office; 1t con- solidated tho lfesaving, labor, corpora
  ment, which has made great strides in economical administration. In every way the government executive departments have discovered that in combining their departments, issues and business, better results can be obtained carrying out the trust ideas that Combinations, consolida- tion and monopolies are conducive to the lowering of expenses.
 Now, however, the government discon- tinues the circuit courts, institutions as old as the government itself. The Con gress of the United States finds that the maintenance of these courts requires a considerable part of the appropriations for the uplxeep of the judiciary, and that the work performed by the circuit court judges can well be done by the district court judges. Furthermore, it has de- veloped that in many cases the work of the district courts overlapped that Of the circuit courts and that the dual ar rangement tended to the lowering of the efficiency of both courts.
 Therefore, during the last regular ses- sion of the United States Congress, an effort was made to abolish the circuit courts. Much opposition was encountered especially among members of the House of Representatives. Political fences need- ed repair and congressman in favor of the idea saw defeat at the polls staring them in the face should they agree to such a proposition. The matter was passed to the judiciary committee of the House in an effort to have the resolution tabled and buried under other and more press ing business.
 Quite the contrary happened, however. The committee reported an entirely new judicial eode which provided among other things for the abolition of the circuit courts. The measure passed both houses on March 31 and will become effective on Monday.
 A large sized howl was heard In every direction from the clerks and employees of the various circuit courts Politicians were buttonholed and held up in an effort to locate "other jobs" for these lame ducks,' but there was absolutely noth- ing doing for a great many. Care has been taken of some of them Nearly all of the old employees will be retained for while until the new manner of things becomes established and until the work ing arrangement becomes effective.
 The real effect of the action of Con- gress is many fold. The circuit court justices will form a court of appeals, dealing with cases on appeal from the district court. The district court will be the court of first instance; appeal will be taken to the circuit court of appes<s and from this court direct to the supreme court of the United States. In effect this confines the former circuit court justices labor to appeal matters exclusively, whereas formerly, they had Jurisdiction in United States district court matters. as we'll as the district judges.
 Then, too, 1t will not be necessary for the judges of appeal to sit whenever called upon at any old place, but will restrict their scope to certain points.
 Additional work will fall on the district court. but under the new code this work will be greatly centered and facilitated. Alabama will be divided into three judi cal districts; Arkansas into two districts, California into two districts; Colorado, one district; Delaware, one district: Flor ida, two districts; Georgia, two districts; Idaho, one district; Illinois, three dis tricts Indiana, one district; Iowa, two districts; Kansas, one district; Ken lucky, two districts; Louisiana, two dis tricts; Maine, one district; Maryland. one district; Massachusetts. one district; Michigan, two districts; Minnesota, one district; Mississippi, two districts: Mis- souri, two districts; Montana. one dis trict; Nebraska. one district Nevada, one district; New Hampshire, one dis trict; New York. four districts; North Carolina two districts; North Dakota, one district Ohio, two districts Okla homa, two districts; Oregon. one district; Pennsylvania, three districts; Rhode Is- land, one district; South Carolina, two districts; Tennessee. three districts; Tex as, four districts; Virginia, two districts; Washington, two districts; West Virginia, two districts; Wisconsin, two districts and wyoming. one district.
 It is also provided that there shall be nine circuit courts of appeals, composed as follows: First. Rhode Island, Massa- chusetts, New Hampshire and Maine: Second, Vermont, Connecticut and New