The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-17
DISTRICT ATTORNEY Gives
VIEWSOn THIRD JUDCEShlP
Stroup Believes Present Jurists Are
Better Qualified to Discuss tho
Need, But Points to the Growing
Number of Criminal Cases

Michael E. Stroup. District Attorney,
when asked to-day by Starlndepend-
ent reporter for his opinion as to the
need for third judge in Dsuphin
county. as provided for in the bill intro
,luced an the House of Representatives
bv Assemblyman John C. Nissley, die
tated the following statement:
.'You have asked me TO express an
opinion as to the merit of a bill pre-
sented by member of the Legislature
of this county, providing for the ap-
gointment of an Additional Law Judge
for our courts, and it is with consider
ahle hesitation that l do so.
THE Judges themselves, because OF
the fact that the work of the court de
wolves upon them primarily, are in
better position accurately and forcefuily
to state their own needs and require
ments, and the necessity OF an Ad-
ditional Law Judge to assist them IN
the disposition of their work.
.sOf the three hundred and sixty-hve
davs of the wear there remain, after
excluding Sundays and holidays, three
hundred and two working days, and in
looking over our court calendar we find
that during the greater part Of this
time the judges are required to sit IN
open court for the hearing and dispo-
sition of litigation. Fortysev days
of the year are set aside for the hear
ing of motions and pleas of guilty;
thlrty-five DAYS are consumed by jury
trials in quarter sessions; ten days are
set aside tor the hearing of arguments:
,ne day is provided for the hearing and
granting of liquor license applications.
but, generally, an entire week ami up
wards is consumed in the disposal of
this matter alone; sixty-two days are
taken up by Jury trials in common pleas
and four days, which usually requires
eight. for the hearing of divorces. To
this number may conservatively be add
ell forty more days, set aside from
time to time for the hearing of mis-,
cellaneous cases and matters that arise
during the year.
''From this it will be seen that two
hundred and eight days of the year the
Judges are compelled TO sit in open
court, leaving but ninety-four days in
which TO write opinions and otherwise
dispose of the legal matters presented
in open court. Nor can il be said that
this time is entirely their own because
they are daily interrupted in chambers
with numerous petitions, approval of
bonds, the taking of bail, and many
other matters requiring immediate dis
Posal.
Criminal Cases Increasing
1.-The number OF criminal cases COM
Ing before our courts has been steadily
increasing. In looking over the record
! find, during my incumbency in office.
S02 in 1912; 9S1 in 1918 and in 9l4
1876 criminal cases were heard and
determined by the court. During the
year 1914 the eases so presented aver
aged 269 10 the term, thirty-fve per
cent. of which we're either ignored or
heard upon pleas of guilty, leaving
sixty-five per cent, or lis cases TO be
disposed of by jury trial each quarter
session week.
''It goes without saying that il is
physical impossibiEty 10 present this
number of cases to jury for its de-
termination in one week, and witnesses
are therefore compelled, frequently. 10
be in attendance al quarter sessions for
two, three, four and i've days at times
before the case in which they are in
tereSted can be heard. This entails not
only very great expense to the coun-
". but probably a greater loss TO the
witnesses themselves, who are required
10 be in attendance.
"In addition, this court is given orig.
insl jurisdiction in State cases. such as
the settlement of tax eases. the hearing
of election cases. suits brought bv and
against the Commonwealth of Pennsyl.
vania. and recently all appeals taken
from the Public Service Commission are
heard and determined here.
As District Attorney I feel that an
Additional Law Judge will insure an
earlier and more expedient disposition
OF prosecutions which will result in a
great saving of costs TO the taxpayers.
and still greater convenience TO the
parties and witnesses who are com
PEELED 10 attend our criminal courts.
Thinks Judges Should Say
The judges, however, as l said in
the first place. are better qualified than
any member OF the bar TO state their
own needs and requirements. and the
necessity of an additional Judge TO as
sist them in their work