The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-29
Annual Convention of Kansas
Jurists in Topeka.
Jury Problem One of Real Sc
robustness These Days.
WOMEN MAY Be SOLUTION
Necessary To Fill Ranks OF
Men Now in the Army.
Trouble To Keep Them Awake
When They Bring Knitting.

War has brought it's trials and trou-
bies, to the Kansas district court
Judges In Topeka today for their an
nuaI convention, the court judges OF
fered any number of problems whicn
the war situation has presented enc
of the real troubles of the judges is
th !, iury problem Wherein there Is
nrospect that the Kansas woman may
gain answer the call to I'LL the rams
of men in army service.
TIE be sure the present law perWies
women to sit on juries. In number
of counties it has been tried. But IN
number of cases the women either IN
sisted on bringing their knittlng on
went to sleep. Anyway, those were
some of the complaints when came
from the lawyers and judges But
now there is probability that many
district judges will attempt to meet
the trouble by urging the calling OF
more women for jury service. =
Judge j. o. Rankin of Paoia VINO
presides over the Tenth judicial dis
trict, .oday pointed out the jury trcu-
bles to the district judges at their con-
vention in the supreme court rooms OF
the state house. Judge Rankin told
the convention the calling of hundreds
of men for jury service had brought
about all manner of trouble in dispos-
ing of court work Farmers are too
busy to serve, mechanics are employed
full time, merchants and doctors can
not leave their shops and offices. Yet
the law provides the safeguard OF jury
trials. And the judges in Topeka to-
day are looking for relief-with wo-
men the only probable answer.
Another war trouble in this war
time concerns suits against any SOL
diers who have gone to the front and
let the world and their loved ones and
creditors do the worrying. Judge John
c. Hogan of Bel1eviile. judge of the
Twelfth district, came to Topeka to
discuss the subject. He wants to know
correct course in event of divorce ac-
lions, foreclosures and other suits
against men who are in France fight
ing for the colors. And a number of
judges in the convention have a few
more questions.
Discuss Parole System.
The parole system was discussed to-
day by Judge D. A. Banta of Great
Bend, judge of the Twentieth district.
Should the provisions of the code
giving attorneys the right to inspect
instructions before they are read, be
repealed ?" was the subject of a dis
cussion by Judge Oscar Foust of lola,
judge of the Thirty-seventh district
Judge F. F. Prigg of Hutchinson in
the Ninth district, discussed methods
of speeding up the trial and disposi-
ton of cases pending in the district
courts of the state. Judge Prigg urged
the Kansas judges to clean their dock
cts and to hasten the trial of pending
litigation. Judge Edward C. Gates of
Fort Scott was listed for a late after
noon speech on unanimous verdicts in
civil cases involving less than $500.
Judge Gates urged the repeal of the
existing law.
A law pc, hitting discretionary oral
| or written instructions in civil cases
was urged by Judge William C. Harris
OF Emporia. the Fifth judicial district,
attendance of district judges for to-
days sessions was large Practically
al or the Judges will remain for the
Kansas day banquet tonight and the
sessions of the State Bar association
winch open Wednesday morning.