The Washington times., 1918-01-07
CLA|MSCOURT
FACES GREAT
|NCREASEOF
WARD|SPUTES
ny BILL PRICE.

The judges and officials OF the
United States Court of Claims are
looking torYard to q tremendous in
crease In litigation before that court
as a result Of the war. and will prob
ably appeal to. Congress TO provide
measures that will permit the in
creased dockets to be facilitated 30
that there may not be an accurnula-
tion-some OF the cases in which
cannot be reached In years.
In anticipation Of the burdens Of
the future, Clerk Samuel A. Putnam
is busy charging the quarters now
occupied by the court in the building
on Pennsylvania avenue, opposite the
War Department. so that whatever
increase in clerical force is necessary
will be provided with space and
quarters.
An increase in the number of
judges of the court would not mate
rally assist in disposing OF the rush
of cases, in the opinion of the court.
inasmuch as the Judges do not sit
separately. but collectively, on all
cases before them.
More COmmissIOners Urged.
An increase in the number of COM
missioners is the probable solution.
/ There are now two commissioners at
, tached to the court, and then handle
much detail that would take the time
of the judges. Additional commits
sioners will further relieve the
judges.
Suggestions have been made that
the number of judges be increased.
and the court eft in two. divisions, but
whether this may be necessary will
be determined in the future.
Judges OF the court have been made
acquainted with facts as 10 Government
contracts involving millions Of dollars
that will be thrown into the court owing
70 differences between contractors and
War Department officials as 10 prices
to be paid and as to breaking OF con-
tracts In numerous cases the Govern
ment and the contractors are unable 70
agree in advance as to the prices TO be
paid for materials and supplies the Gov
eminent must have for the war.
Must Have Supplies.
The Government must have the sup
plies. and the result is that the amount
above what the Government Is willing
to be paid is left, by agreement, for settle
ment in the Court Of Claims. In the
rush OF the early days OF the war con
tracts were made which the Government
has found were unnecessary, oppressive
or unfair, and some OF these have been
Cancelled. again leaving litigation for
the court.
There are likewise numerous disputes
as TO the character OF the supplies or
materials called for In the contracts.
The Government. through officials, de-
cides what II Il willing to do, and II liz
decisions are not satisfactory the under
standing 10 that those dissatisfied may
so to the court.
Haa Wide JuF1sdiet1On.
The Court OF Claims has wide juris-
diction in such cases. The Federal
district and circuit courts have juris-
diction on claims Up to $4,000. Above
that they must so to the Court Of
Claims
This court. handles q large number
OF what are known as Congressional
cases" These are claims thrown into
Congress, which is asked 70 appropri-
ate. Before doing so that body fire.
quently asks the Court OF Claims to
md and report the facts.
I'VE are cleaning up our docket as
fast as possible and getting ready for
what we know Is coming" said Judge
DoWney. Of the court, to The Times.
Judge Downey was formerly Comp
trolIer Of the Treasury
All the Federal courts of the coun-
try aBe expected 70 have large in
creGseS In work growing out Of the
war, and the office OF Comptroller OF
the Treasury is looking for heavy
increases in work from now on In the
settlement of pay disputes arising in
the army and navy.
This office is not yet free from disputes
and claims arising from the civil
war. One thing accomplished by the
civil war, though, was to bring about
a more perfect system of settlement
of pay and other questions on the
part OF army and navy officers, but
in spite of this thousands of claims
OF this nature will finally get before
the auditors of the Treasury and
reach The Comptroller for final de-
cision.