Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-11-10
GRAND JURY URGES
ABOLITION or FEES
BY MAGISTRATES
Believe Salaries for Services
Should be Fixed TO Improve
Efficiency in Office.
SUGGEST AID FOR POOR

The New Castle county grand Jury
Al its repor; submitted yesterday at
tetnocn 20 Court ~ General Sessions,
recommended the abolition of the fee
system IN the MAGISTRATES courts. and
placing them ON a salary basis. The
rcport covers the Grand iury's inspcc-
tion of the various institutions rcceiv
iug financial aid from the county VIA
recommendations. Changes are recon-
mondcd IN some cf the offices in the
plhiic building 60 facilitate their
work and provide more healthful con-
eitions
Relative TO the magistrates courts,
the report says;
Attention has been called 20 con-
dltions existing in the magistrates
ofiices the county. and your jurors
believe that some change should be
made IN these minor courts. and that
the magistrates in the city of Will
mington particularly. ST. Id he placed
on salary and required TO devote
their time 10 the business that may
come hcfo. them ana should not have
20 depend upon fees.
we also respectfully suggest that
thought of our citizens be directed
GA the order of a legal aid society.
through whom the poor. who are un-
abe TO engage attorneys in cases of
either criminal or civil nature. may
receive protection and help. Also.
that thought be given as TO the de-
s.rahlity ~ public defender FOR
thosc who are unable to pay. We
believe that such a society would do
much good ln this , immunity.
"Thc number al eases before the
Grand Inquest az this time are ma
tcriaily less than in prior years and
we think this Is largely due 10 the
fact that the Municipal Court in the
city of Wilmington has had its pow
ors increased hy final Jurisdiction over
iiRny petty eases. This Is. undoubt-
cdly. large saving 20 the county"
in the Public Rulding. the urgent
reed of additional nl * cabinets and
other facilities in the office Of the
l'rothonotarv on the main floor. is
pointed cut. The office of the Recorde,
or Deeds. accordins to the report. is
very badly situated for the amount OF
work done there The grand iury rec.
'mmonded that either some other
room hc furnished FOR this work. a
that some arrangements be- made fol
properly vcntiiating the room now IL
Use.
Tho report shows that during tht
Ncar the Grand fnques, has actet
upon 222 eases. as follows: January
term. 26 March term. Al; MAY term
80 september term. 80; Novembci
torm so. Of these 80 true bills were
found ana 10 bills ignored,
The Institutions visited include ths
Ferris Industrial school Tor Boys
Delaware Industrial school for Girls
the Workhouse Brandywinc Sanitar-
lum tllope Farm). the Edgewood
teolored Sanitarium. the Almshouse
ana the county offices in the Public
building.
Alfuost in every instance the report
speaks highly q the work Of thes,
Institutions. with only a few minoi
fteommcndations. At the workhouso
according O. tho report. emphasis 8
laid on the pressing need of sparat
quarters for women.
Judge Rice. in accepting the repOr
from the grand jury. thanked it
members for their faithful perfor
nance of duty in the past year an
said the court would give due con
sidoration % the recommendation
contained therein. The report in fu
VIII he submitted To the clerk of IN
- stature Tor the information OF tha
hudy az its neN. session.
Armistice Dance Pythian Castl,
Thursday evening. Prizes Benefit I