The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-30
BY RION McI(ISSICK.


vision af its opportunity to serve the
commonwealth by informing and lead
ing public sentiment, the Virginia Bar
Association began its twenty-nfth an
nual session here to-day with a most
representative attendance The broth
erhood of lawyers entered into a wider
held OF practical work to day, and be-
gan a new era In seriously considering
and vigorously discussing needed legal
social and governmental reforms in
harmony with the progressive spirit of
the time
The day was devoted principally to
the discussion of standards for admis
sion to the bar. but the most inportant
event came at night, when Richard
evelyn Byrd, Speaker Of the House of
Delegates. and former member of the
virginia Tax Commission. delivered the
ON! lormai address by member at the
entire session. His subject was tax
reform. and his position indicates on
position to Auditor of Public Accounts
Moore's plan of segregation. as we'll as
special session of the General AS
semoiy to consider reconstruction of
the tax system. Mr. Byrd is hopefuI.
oelieving that the prospects for reme-
dial legislation at the next session OF
the General Assembly are excellent al
though he condemned the present re-
strlction of the legislative session tn
Sixty days as detrimental to the proper
conduct of the public business consider
ing 1t physically impossible to frame
an appropriation bill and execute
program OF constructive legislatio in
me limited period prescribed by the
Constitution of 1902
Discussion of tax reform by the as
sociation comes up Wednesday morn
ing. Mr. Byrds address attracted most
favorable comment
Progress of Arbitration.
Al the night session Judge George L,
CHRISTIAN presented the report of the
committee on lnternat tional arbitration,
prepared by CONGRESSMAN a J. Mon
tague Among other things. it declared
the steady and continuous settlement
OF international controversies by arbi-
tration Is most encouraging to the
friends OF law throughout the world
me United states alone has had sew
enty-seven arbitrations." it said "of
which nifty have been in its favor.
twelve entirely against it, and fifteen
In favor of both countries
Under these submissions there have
peen pecuniary rewards totaling s93-
o2l'Sls.2l. Of which $69,l2O. 7o6.59 have
been In favor of the United States and
val .6l262 in favor OF the other
countries or of the grand total our
hatloh has recovered 3i76 per cent
against 25.6i per cent awarded against
IT, we have had seventeen arbitrations
win Great l8ritain recovering against
her S2S,l9O.69i.l6 as against Sll637.
'ol'2S III her favor Such have been
the general results of arbitration dur
ing our national existence and not
Wlthstandine wars and rumors of wars
the arbitral adjustment of internation-
al diHerences has made wholesome
progress since the last report upon this
subject to this association
Inc actual and practical rasults of
admiration are most encouraging, and
the new agreements, conventions and
treaties which are the bases OF the ar
bitrations mentioned and of others
which must inevitably follow. bid un
all take hope.r
Reform of Court Machinery.
pursuant TO a resolution offered by
Thomas w. Shelton. OF Norfolk. at the
night session. court machinery is TO he
reformed in Virginia .fter Il struggle
OF nalt century without results This
action was by unanimous consent Of
the association tonight after n spir-
tied and learned discussion. IL means
that the General Assembly Will be re-
quested 10 vest In the Supreme Court
OF Appeals Of Virginia the power to
create and put into effect all neces-
sary rules and regulations for the
course OF the machinery of the courts
the Legislature retaining control over
all fundamental and jurisdict!onal mat
ters y committee for the purpose
VIII 'ndeavor TO secure the enactment
OF the necessary legislation at the next
session so that the Court OF Appeals
may commence In January on the new
rules.
The new Federal equity rules were
recommended for adoption The rules
for the law side were left 10 the courts
Governor Mann already has expressed
himself In favor of the plan. Another
resolution was passed indorsing the
position of the American Bar Associa-
ton in requesting Congress TO vest
in the United States Supreme Court
law side OF the Federal Inferior courts
This is known as the shelton resolu-
tion and has been adopted by forty
States.
Alfred F. Thom reported by letter
that the prospects for an additional
Federal judgeship for the Fourth Cir
cult are bright
Presidents Address.
The morning session was called TO
order ny ~ Il. Long. OF Lynchburg.
chairman OF the executive committee,
who introduced the president OF the
association, William Minor Lille. dean
ui the law school OF the University OF
Virginia, and the second law teacher to
become head OF the body. the only other
having been John Randolph Tucker.
Qbedient to custom. President Lille de-
livered an inaugural address. His sub
Jcct was. The ENaltation OF Secondary
giving advice to the bar
and the courts to seek the fountains OF
the law In decided cases. and not to
overestimate the value o. legal taxi
writer's, whose treatises are deluginR
Jurisprudence. 5e
Secondary authority. he defined as all