The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-11-01
THE CANCELLATION COURT
By RAYMOND c. woLEy

this country from Russia-a Jewish i'm
 migrant boy of Hand got his start in
 the English classes at Hiram House, one of Clevelands social settlements. When the Cleveland municipal court act was framed provision was made for the ltigant who was unable to secure the services of q lawyer A clerk was to
 be designated to assist parties in pre- pairing and filing papers incident to their suit and to advise and assist whenever possible in bringing about the settlement of cases involving small amounts of money The chief justice selected for this post man with legal training long experience in court business, and a tenn perament suited to the exacting require ments of the work.
 It did not take long for the knowl- edge of this means of assistance to be- come known throughout the city and hun dreds brought in their real or fancied grievances. Many were given sound ad- vice which resulted in the adjustment of the differences without further inter- vention. Often the clerk acted as media tor and succeeded in bringing about a settlement. When mediation failed he assisted in bringing suit in the regu- lar way. During the year 1y12, 1200 cases were thus settled out of court. No rec ord was made of the cases in which ad- vice and assistance were given, but nc doubt the number was many times 1200 All of the services of this department are free.
 Consolidation Court Created
 The work thus favorably begun led tc the formation of the conciliation branch of the court. The object in view was rot only to relieve the court of much inconsequential legislation but to provide 6 simple and inexpensive means for the settlement of small civil suits. Cases which formerly had gone to make the chief business of the justice shop and the shyster lawyer. The wide powers Of the municipal court enabled the judges to establish this branch without any leg islative enactment, but by rule Of the court; the same procedure as when the Chicago court of domestic relations was created.
 All claims under $50, all cases of at- tachment and garnishment involving less than $50, and all cases of replevin are entered upon the conciliation docket. The defendant is then notified by registered mail of the claim and of the day set for the hearing of the case. It may be of interest to note here that all wrfts of the Cleveland municipal court are served by registered mail instead>of the old and expensive method of personal service by constables.
 Simple Methods
 One of the regular judges of the court Is assigned by the chief justice to the corciliation branch. The parties to each suit are brought before the judge. Law yers are not allowed to represent the parties and no set procedure Is required
 The judge by question and suggestion seeks to elicit the point at issue. While nc controversy is permitted to be drawn out at length, each party is allowed to state his case in his own way. It was remarked by one of the judges that this permission to an ordinary litigant to ''have his say" has marked psycholog- ical effect. He feels that even though the decision may have gone against him he has not been restricted by rules the meaning and significance of which is moi always apparent.
 When the essential facts are brought out the judge is required by the rules
 'to seek to effect an amtcable adjust