New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-08
RI the Editor of The Tribune.

o the EDITOR OF Inc lflDuHt'
Sir: In THE New York Times" Of July 81
there appears long interview with the Hon.
Secretary of War Baker in which he at
tempts an answer to my letter IN The III
bune of July 21 assume that Mr. Baker SAID
everything that is accredited TO him. He
says my letter was lacking in specifications;
and therefore he attaches bill of particu-
lars, so to speak.
Mr.. Baker seems to know, though did not
say so, that had personal reasons to find
fault with Mr.. Harrison, and then he pro-
ceeds TO combat these reasons and concludes
that | was "lberally treated" What has this
to do with the matter under discussion? i
said not a word about any Ill treatment, eX-
cept in so far as the unwise legislation mas
affected me in common with other judges.
am informed that two more judges besides
Judge Crossfeld have resigned and know of
several more that threatened resignation be-
cause of Mr. Harrison's favortism and de-
creased salary. There is little hope for them
under Mr. Harrison, even assuming that they
are good and efficient judges with long
term OF service 10 their credit For that
reason they would be no more likely to be
promoted or reassigned to the more desir-
able districts. Mr. Harrison seems, indeed, &c
prefer young men with short term of SER
vice and to disregard previous record on the
bench.
The War Secretary says Mr. Harrison re-
appointed all the former judges and that the
reorganization act was wise and did not les
sen the efficiency of the judiciary. There
fore, according to Mr.. Baker, young Filipinos
with small salaries and little experience at
the bar and none on the bench are just as
efficient as men with long experience as at
torneys and long terms OF service on the
bench. Moreover, the jurisdiction was en-
larged by the amalgamation of the land
courts and courts OF first instance. So that
these young and inexperienced judges have
an enlarged jurisdiction. and the judges with
no experience except on the Land Court bench
were also given the same extensive Jurisdc-
ton that both courts previously had exer-
cised In view of these facts there could be
no other result except 10 lessen the efficiency
of the judiciary. And any change that les
sens efficiency is unwise. because efficiency
and integrity are of paramount Importance
and inefticiency destroys confidence.
Mr. Baker quotes from Acting Governor
Gilbert and Mr. Aranets, former Secre-
tary of Finance and Justice. But he does
not show that either of these able officials
has ever recommended the passage Of the re-
organization act with all its Objectionable
features and radical changes. He does not
show that either of them ever advised the
abolition of the Land Court or redistricting
OF the entire islands, putting out all the old
judges and giving the Governor General an
than 70 dis-
trcts
All this was the work Of Mr.. Harrison, for
he wanted to take care of his political pets
and appoint them to the most desirable dis
tricts without regard TO their terms of ser
vice or record on the bench. And he did it.
The War Secretary says the Manila Bar
Association recommended the retirement OF
seven of the old judges. This statement is
unworthy of a man holding high place in the
government service like Mr.. Baker, if he knew
what he was talking about; and if he did not
know, he should not talk so much or write
such long interview. That's what's the
matter with his chief. He talks too much
and writes too many notes and acts too
little.)
Does not Mr.. Baker know that all the most
prominent members of the Bar Association
Of Manila positively repudiated all that a
few young member. seeking Judicial and
other positions, had done at that meeting,
which was attended By only two American
lawyers? Mr.. Baker must know that all the
leading and experienced American, Spanish
and Filipino lawyers vigorously protested
and petitioned the Governor General to pay
no attention to the action of these few
youngsters who had sought to exclude the
American judges presiding in the provinces
outside. Of Manila.