The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-22
JUDGE 'MAYFIELD TALKS ON NEW CODE
 AT BAR MEETING
AboIishment of Workmen'S Compensation Act Advo- Cated by Judge B. M.
 Allen

The monthly meeting of the Bir- mingham Bar association was held at the Southern club last night. Judge Richard V. Evans, the mem Der of the executive committee in charge of the program for the meet ing, presided.
 The opening address was made by Judge B. M. Allen on suggested im- provements In the new code of pro- cedure and practice fin Alabama. His criticisms of the workmen's Compen- sation law were particularly severe and 1t was his Idea that the easiest way to remedy the many defects or this law would be to abolish it alto gether.
 Appellate Procedure
 He suggested amendments to the present appellate procedure, especial ly in relation to the preparation of bills of exceptions and his condem- nation of the law permitting the SUI preme court to reverse decision on mere technicalitIes, were heartily commended
 An item of humor was injected Into the proceedings when, at the con clusion of his address. Judge Allen told of the occasion on which he ap- peared before the legislature as rep- resentative of the Bar association, and a religious paper at home re- ferring to the incident reported that he was there in behalr of the Bar Keepers association of Birmingham
 Talk on New Code
 Judge Allen was followed by the present code commissioner, Judge J. J. Mayfield, of Montgomery, former ly associate Justice of the supreme court of Alabama, who discussed in detail the nature and extent of the work entrusted to his charge in the codifying and compilation of the new code of Alabama, which Is to be sub mitted to the next legislature.
 Judge Mayfield Is veteran codi- fer, having aided in the preparation of the code of 1sge, and having com piled the code of 1907, besides being the editor of Mayfield's Digest of the Alabama reports.
 His discussion Of the development of the statutory and constitutional enactments of Alabama was exten- sfve and Illuminating. He concurred in many of the criticisms made by Judge Allen concerning existing lesis- lation, and particularly stressed the suggestion that the supreme court should no longer be treated as dumping ground" for the decision of technical questions raised merely on appeal for the purpose of securing new trial, and not affecting the merits of the controversy.
 Invites Suggestions
 In outlining the work laid upon him as code commissioner. he invited the bench and bar of Alabama to submit to him in writing any suggestions that might occur to them concerning the improvement of the codifcation of the Alabama laws.
 At the concluson of Judge May fields address, W. Marvin woodall. president of the association. announc- ed that the next meeting to be held on May 19 would be in charge of J. Wiley Logan. Mir. Woodall also announced the following committees: On revision of circuit and appellate court Jurisdiction; Brenton K. Fisk, w. B. White and Judge Hugh A. Locke. On municipal court appeals: David J. Davis, chairman; Henry R. Howze, and Judge Henry J. Mar tin. These committees are expected to submit to the association for ap- proval drafts of proposed bills for enactment by the next legislature.