The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-22
NEW CODE CAUSES
LAWYERS TO STRIKE
UT1xsIAN JUDGES IN MANY
CowNs ENJOYING WE'LL
HARMED VACATION.
GOVERNMENT MAY ACT
NEW Law II1uTs NUMBER OF
ATTORNEYS IN EACH CASE
AND MANY ARE OUT
or WORK.
GOVERNMENT MAY ACT

ROME. March 21-Italian lawyers
are on strike, but as the strike Is by
no means general and tho principal
courts are still open, while many law
yers are working, the strike is known
~ = forensic agitation" There are
SEQ lawyers among the 500 members
lister said that there are too many
lawyers in Italy and that the real
cause OF the present strike or agita-
ton are being debated in the chamber
Of deputies.
Replying to various questions asked
Justice says that the number OF judges
has been reduced because according
% the new law and code OF civil pro-
cedure each tribunal Is composed OF
~ many lawyers as they pleased and
one Judge instead of three and that
consequently the lawyers complaint
II unJustifed-
There are two versions OF the mo-
tives that led to the present trouble.
According to the lawyers, they decid-
the insufficient number of Judges as
signed to each court. Natur-
signed to each court. The minister OF
Of the Italian parliament and natur-
ally enough the causes of the ag1ta-
ton 10 a provision in the new code
limiting the number of lawyers ap-
pearing to defend litigant or pris-
oher to only two. Formerly htigants
or prisoners secured the services OF
several lawyers. and a considerable
amount OF time was lost I'm each law
suit or trial, owing to the fact that
every lawyer was entitled to talk and
that all OF them insisted on talking
too much. Now only two lawyers are
allowed to talk and naturally both
time and lawyers fees are saved.
while the procedure In penal and civil
cases has been simplif1ed and short
ened.
Code VIII Not Re Altered.
The minister refuses TO alter or
amend the new code. but Is. willing
TO make slight concessions In the hope
of averting a general strike. AS me
debate on. this situation Is expected
70 last for some time and general
strike will not be resorted to until II
ends, II IL hard to foresee what Will
happen IN the future,
The lawyers In several cities are
meanwhile on strike and many Judges
are enjoying a much needed hoiicay.
Tho public 10 not taking the strike
seriously, Al 20 far Its only effect
has been to delay in legal proceedings
that II really does not make much
difference whether the judges or the
LAWYERS arc to blame. Besides lawyers
In Italy lack solidarity and many OF
those who never had a chance TO
work are now working that tho de-
mand for their services has increased.
Two lawyers at Pisa who refused to
strike were beaten by TIE strikers.
but this was only an Isolated case and
highly disapproved as unworthy OF
the dignity OF the profession.
II II doubtful whether the lawyer
strike will ever become general. The
prevailing impression Is that after ex-
hausting all their threats and protests
the lawyers will calmly return to work
and the present agitation will gradu-
ally die out
New Prehistoric Discoveries.
Important archaeological explora-
lions arc being carried out under the
temple OF Minerva at Syracuse. In
Sicily, where the hut foundations Of
tho primitive settlers before tho city
became a Greek colony in B. c. sS4
were found.
hut beside this prehistoris discov-
ary other finds of great tmportanc e
have been made OF remains OF Gre
clan buildings. Here many votive OF
ferfngs, fragments OF pottery and
great quantity OF ivory. probably i'm
Oorted from Cyrenacia have been
unearthed. Professor Orsi, who IL
conducting the explorations. Is con-
WINGED OF the existence OF the temple
erected ave centuries before the birth
OF Christ, which was subsequently de-
moltshed. in order that the late tenn
pie Of Minerva could be built on the
Same spot.
In n small shrine. evidently belong
ing to the original temple. decorated
With colored pottery. figure or Me-
dusa has been found. while the shrine
was full OF ashes from the sacritices
offered In the nearby temple.
Vtcetmiztn9 tho Government.
Come time ago the government,
alarmed At tho large amount OF coun-
f1rfsit coins and bank notes In cir
culation, offered = reward OF 5000
lire 10000 TO anybody who would
furnish information for the arrest, of
the oounterfeiters. A Neapolitan has
tened to promise that within . month
No would enable tho police to raid the
pIaco where the false money was be-
lng manufactured and arrest counter
m promise Wa accepted. ana sure
1uonGh within the month the police
asrsG4sd four mon while at work turn
ing out badly initiated ffve lire ($1)
no1eU With the most obsolete instru-
monto possible. The informer pock-
eted tho reward and disappeared.
Tho four men were brought to trial
but after q long preliminary investi-
cation they were acquitted, a. 1t was
found out they were not the counter
feiterr. but merely four poor men in
search Of work who for small sum