The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1921-10-16
A PLEA FOR RELIEF OF FEDERAL
JUDGES.


been inadequate and we are. therefore
deeply interested in any movement
making for remedy of that situation.
We are therefore reproducing the fol-
lowing splendid communication from
the Central Law School, of st. Louis,
contributed by Judge Max Isaac, Of
this city. ~
Judge Isaac states the case very
clearly and presents a powerful argu-
ment for the relief of our Federal ju-
dietary, as well as for better pay
for the judges. Here it is:
"The congestion which exists in
many of the courts of the United
States. has prompted Attorney Gener-
al Daughertyl to recommend to the
President and to Congress, the adop-
ton of law creating eighteen Fed
eral judges-atlarge, two for each jul
dicial circuit. They are to have all
Of the powers of district judges, ex-
cept the appointment of clerks and
other officers. THE resident judges
will continue to exercise that author
ity.) They are to be appointed for
life, but the provision Of the new bill
is that when they die or resign, no
successors are to be appointed, un-
less Congress shall so declare. These
judges-atlarge, are to be assigned by
the senior circuit judge of the circuit,
to any district in the circuit, where
their services are needed, and by the
Chief Justice to any district in any
other circuit. The bill also provides
for an annual meeting of the Chief
Justice and the Senior Circuit Judges
from the nine circuits, who with the
Acknowledgement shall consider the
condition of business in the respec-
tive districts, with view to massing
the entire judicial force of the Unit
ed States in those districts where bus
mess. requires relief This is but a.
part Of the plan for the reorganization
Of the judicial system Of the United
States. A lawyers committee con-
sisting OF one chairman from each
State and one or more members from
each congressional district has been
actively engaged for some time In
urging the necessity of lie passage of
a bin In Congress to relieve the pres
emit condition.
There can be no doubt that the
adoption of the Eighteenth Amend
ment and the passage of the Volsteaa
law has greatly added 10 the burden
rasting upon the Federal courts.
There is a natural increase in civil
business due TO the growth of pop
ulation, the ending of the war, and
the development of the country, which,
will prevent any marked decrease in
court business unless some form OF
relief is promptly provided. II the
Federal courts could be relieved of
the necessity of trying the unimpor
tant cases under the volstead law, IL
Is believed that the congestion of
criminal business would soon be over
come. Too much time of the district
Judge Is consumed In the trial of the
prohibition cases. The Eighteenth
Amendment was designed to prohibit
the manufacture, sale and Transports.
ton OF liquors. The Volstead law is
far more sweeping in its terms and
covers practically every liquor case.
The result is that thousands OF eases
which would be tried In the State Fri.
bunals--but for the provisions OF the
volstead law-are brought into the
Federal courts. taking up the time Of
the courts which should be devoted
to business OF greater importance to
the people. II has been suggested
that the Volstead Act could be amend
ed so as to restrict prosecutions I'm.
der II In the Federal Courts to the
class Of cases covered by the EIah.
teenth Amendment only, and e Is
thought that the congestion of basi.
ness would thereby be materially re-
lieved.
Investigation of the alarming SIC.
Iuation in the Federal courts reveals
that on June s0th. 1921, there were
141, 900 cases pending as compared
with ltS,7i4 cases at the end of the
Previous fiscal year. This condition
Is not entirely the result OF the pas
sage OF the prohibition laws. but they
have to greater extent than any
other. impeded the ordinary progress
Of other business In the courts.
Another important feature OF the
movement 70 improve the admins.
tration OF justice In the Federal
courts, deals with the pay OF the
Judges who flnd It impossible TO live
comfortably. and in keeping with the
dignity OF the office, on the salary now
recelved. The Chief Justice IN the
United States, who holds the highest
/ judicial office in the world. receives