The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-30
ORGANIZE COURT
INTO ONE UNIT TO
MAKE OWN RULE
That Is Legislative Suggestion
Before Bar Assn Meeting.
Thirty-Sixth Annual COnVen-
ton in Topeka Today, Friday.
FEAR A CONSTITUTIONAL PLAN
Belief People Would Get Some
thing They Do Not Want.
Lawyers From All Over Kansas
Meeting in Topeka.
THE PROGRAM.
EVENING SESSION O'CLOCK.

THE PROGRAM
EVENING SESSION O'CLOCK.
Annual address. by Hon. George L. Page
Peoria ILL., President of the American BAR
association. Subject, The American Bar
This address is open to the general pub
lie, which is cordially invited Supreme
court room, state house.
FRIDAY MORNINGS PROGRAM
Address The Practice of Law by lay
men," Thomas NJ. Van Cleave' Kansas oitS'
Address. subject not yet announced. c.
j. Bryant, Independence. ~
Keport of judiciary committee, u. I.
Hazen, Chairman, Topeka: ,,s,,,ssi,rs
questions.
Afternoon Session. > O'Clock.
Address. The Evolution of the Pracuce
of the Law" Hon: A. NJ. keene' r. T2sa!; Seott;;
Clay Hamilton. Topeka
Election Of officers
Miscellaneous business, discussions
A1linurnment to the annual banquet, Ma
sonic hall, $50 o'clock sharp.
Radical legislative changes to or
efan!ze the courts Of the state into one
department with power to make its
own rules were urged today before the
thirty-slxth annual meeting OF the
Kansas state Bar association by VIII
liam e. Higgins, president, Lawrence
FiiEGins's accommodations were i1ldue
this morning when about seNellly-llNe
LAWYERS were present. This afternoon
II 4 Noftzger, Wichita, advocated
sfmplffied foIm of lawmaking ana
administration He also pointed out
dangers that are possible in the as
ye1nbly of a constitutional convention.
lie declared that such convert l-
tfotn, while adopting many measures
souEnt by the people, would also
thrust upon them some things that
they do not wish. He warned against
the evils of a cumbersome or pulkS
constitution.
President Wilson has assumed in his
peace efforts and proposals was con-
Cemned ta.s afteroon by David Ritchie,
Il prominent Salina lawyer. Rltchle
called attention to the fact that VIII
SON has violated the constitution of
the United States by not consulting
congress on large number OF MS
international policies and actions
The number of attorneys at the
meeting increased all day today. The
seventy-five or more present this
morning in the supreme court rooms,
where the sessions are being held, was
enlarged this afternoon to nearly $50.
Del Valentine secretary of the asso-
citation, said that the attendance this
evening and tomorrow would reach be-
tween $50 and 200 of the most prom1-
nCnt harristers and lawyers in Kansas
ton of the presidents address. was
devoted mostly to technical and pro-
fessonal discussions and committee
and officers reports
Noftzger Ritchie and J. NJ. Chal-
liss of Atchison were the only speak
ers on this afternoons program. Chal-
liss discussed the proposed league of
nations
Big Meeting Tonight.
The feature of this evenings pro-
gram. which will also be in the su-
preme court rooms at the state house,
will be an add1 ess by George T. Page,
president of the American Bar asso-
citation, Peoria, Ill
The meetings will close tomorrow
afternoon with the annual election of
officers and unfinished business.
The Presidents Address.
In the presidents address before the
association. w. f. Higgins proposed
radical changes in the procedure OF
Kansas courts which, he claimed
would Increase their efficiency, ac-
curacy as to justice and speed He
spoke on problems of Speed and Ger
tainty in Our Trial Courts" President
Higgins emphasized, however, that ac-
curacy rather than speed should be the
chief inspiration of any court. Aside
from the technical changes he recon-
mended in court procedure, he pro-
posed that court sessions be limited tC
the office of an assistant district judge
be created. Such official would not
only handle the less important mat
ters of routine nature in court, but
also would assume the duties of the
probate judge.
Ono Legal Department.
He recommended that the associa-
ton appoint committee to draft pro-
posed legislative changes: he proposed
that such laws be enacted as woulC
Organize into one department the
various courts of the state with power
to adopt its own administrative rules
In all the attorney made eleven rec.
concentrations for changes in the pres
cnt court regulations.
Mr.. Higgins stated that often 'a
clear docket" illustrating judicia
speed. meant miscarried justice. Ht
said the changes he proposed were
designed to enable a trial Judge Il
get more clearly at the facts. elmi
mating irrelevant matter, and that thu
courts of England have demonstrated
that n five TO five and a half h&lr
day for trials with procedure to elimi
nate unnecessary details. has per
fected a judicial system much speed
ter than Americas. He cautioned
rgainst the ability of faded" mind
If either judge or jury to effect jus
ice, and that the physical possibili
'es of both must be taken into con
ieratien.
Has Four Big Faults.
Higgins asserted that 'tour iudicia
lministration of justice is at fault il
our main respects:
I'D -,