Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-09-07
Court Reforms Must Not Be in
Interest of Rich.

In any reform of court procedure
that may follow the suggestions de-
bated at the recent meeting OF the
American Bar Association there must
be no interference with the rights Of
the poor man to get equal justice
with the rich. according to editors
who are studying the matter. Early
approval of the various suggestions
made has been followed by serious
discussion whether they do not. after
all. make for the application OF a
sort of lynch law" to court proceed
ings. Editors argue that extreme
care must be taken to see that speed
that does not mean injustice and
that whatever changes are made shall
be to remedy only conditions that
properly are complained of.
1.-THE common sense Of the matter"
the Newark News believes. "is that
the more we can do to set the judge
and the Jury, each in his own sphere,
free to do with the case, according
to the common sense of 1t. the
quicker and cheaper we are gong
to get justice, the more justice we
are going to get. and the less ehanee
ability of money to wear out COM
parative poverty"
Any suggestion that will interfere
with reasonable appeals also shoulo
be frowned upon by most people. the
Brooklyn Eagle is certain, because
1.-THE privilege of having case passed
on by the tribunal of last resort is
earnestly priced by Americans. and
to make that privilege doubtful. un-
certain, subject to refusal, is ques.
tionable policy" There is little dount
that 1.-The morals Of this country
country" the Worcester Gazette says,
but perhaps a little more speeding
up by the courts and more orast,c
sentences. vigorously applied. "ouio
be effective as preventative OK
crime"
much to answer for. the Cleveland news
thinks, and hope Of improvement Is not
Generally fostered by the corrective
means considered. How could commence
in the courts be created by any amour.
Of glittering generalities II the ron
such as the Ohio supreme court deci,
sion in the case Of Big Jim Morton!
While there seem to be plenty OF laws
now to cope with all existing SITUATIONS,
the Allentown Call is willing to aomit
that another law designed 70 o,,t plU.e ,,n
the statute books and might bring ABOUT
better conditions" Not only Is tnat SO,
but inasmuch as "our crime recoLu Is
the worst in the world" the ltnaSs
Journal-News argues that we snooia
have nowhere near as much crime II
Justice was administered as speedily
and efficiently as in the British courts.
But in improving the legal machinery
there is absolute necessity. in the opln.
ion Of the Minneapolis journal, that
there should be no ground TO teei ina
good a chance for justice as the Dig
Criminal. This applies to matters OF
parole and reprieve as well as 10 neaI
ings and defense" The PhlladeipnlA
Bulletin believes that with a commls
sion Ito prepare .s .s uniform fpsnf,o Goa Of an
authority to see that these simplihed
rules are observed, there is chance az
least that the judiciary may be in1useu
with new courage and the MEMBER o.
the bar with higher and more cons.s.
II of the code of honor to which they
have subscribed" There already has
been too much discussion, the Wasning-
ton Post thinks, and now something
tangible is at hand the American Bar
Association should spare no effort 10
sneed it's work to a finality Of practical
Great care must be taken in plan,
ming any changes. the Hartforo
Times says, even though there are
problems enough in our courts 10
make a complete revision OF pro
cedure at least worthy of contem-
piation BY those qualified to, contem.
plate" In addition the New York Post
points out that legal reform would
be appreciably fastened by the more
General exercise of comnfsh sense
and more compelling ethics in the
profession" Behind the movement
for legal reform. however. is realiza.
ton Of a danger in the movement
"for Acknowledgement of the right
Of the masses to overthrow at Will
she decisions Of the courts" the
Boston Christian Science Monitor is
convinced, and "it would be imprud-
ent and unwise to regard these at
tacks as the mere expression OF dis.
content. They. represent the efforts of
an organized army Of propagandists
to teach defiance and to bring about
the final overthrow of law"
Because this is acknowledged the
committee should also have prompt
in support; Of the plan ITO suggest
0hanfss 81 the statutes. the New