Evening star., 1915-02-07

ting at his desk in a quaint old house
al No. Jackson place. around the cor
ner from the Court of Claims, tine
court is the keeper of Uncle Sans con-
science. 1t is here that Uncle Sam dis
penses equity to those with whom ne
transacts business.
In another aspect it is the historian
of the republic, for in its files may be
read the real history of the nation
And in still another aspect it is the
place of governmental post mortems,
for here are held the final examination
into the admins lStratlVe mistakes tndt
have been made.
Every great nation in the world has
a court such as this; none of them
court containing more color and ro-
nance. In England the court is known
the court of the exchequer. Here
the simpler and more descriptive name
has been adopted. Created in 1s35, the
court always has been a busy one, now
perhaps buster than ever before
in making contracts with private In
dividuals, firms and corporations gov
ernment officers are limited strictly IN
their opera tions by the terms of ale
law, not at all elastic. Hence, when
disputes arise they may not be settled
in the same manner that such disputes
between private individuals are se,tied'
although the equities may lie with the
contractor Hence a very consldera Die
portion of the business OF the court Is
in dealing with such disputes
Under the general Jurisdiction con-
ferred upon this court, any citizen of
the country who has a claim against
the government arising upon con-
tract express or implied, law or
Congress or the Constitution. may en-
ter suit against the government in this
court, and, if the court finds his claim
just, judgment is entered against the
government and the claim paid as a
matter OF course
But" suggested the interviewer, Il
Il
could sue the government without the
permission of Congress"
That may be the general impress
sion" said Mr.. Thompson, but the fact
is as have stated it More than $4,000
suits of dividuals against the gov
ernment, of which 1000 are now pend
ing. have been brought directly under
the general jurisdiction of the court
and not through the authority OF any
special act of Congress.
..When n Judgment for the claimant
Is entered in the court. and appeal is
not taken to the Supreme Court. it is
certified to the Secretary of the Treas
ury. who includes it's amount in his
estimates sent to Congress-. and Con
gress provides the money just as for
the ordinary expenditures of the gov
ernment.
These cases, which we call general
jurisdiction cases. find their origin
largely in the numerous contracts made
by all departments of the government.
and arise by reason of contracts for
the building of battleships, cruisers
and other vessels; the erection of pub
lie buildings, dredging and improve
ments of rivers and harbors, the build
ing and maintenance of dams, locks
and sea walls, contracts for army sup
plies, contracts with mail contractors
and railroad companies for carrying
mails. construction of dry docks and
the like, contracts arising through the
activities of the reclamation service; q
large amount of litigation involves the
construction of statutes affecting the
pay of army and navy and civil en-
ployes of the government. the REIN