South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-03-01
Lands TearfuLLy
Quits Bench After
II Years Service
Noted Jurist. 1000 Percent
Lands TO Last. Becomes
Private Citizen.
BY Associated Press.


In his eye. but an unfaltering step,
Kenesaw Mountain Lands Monday
walked from the federal building a
private citizen. after II years as
federal judgs Starting wednesday
the famous jurist. who recently re-
signed viii devote his time 10 the
position OF baseball Commissioner.
Judge Lands swung through the
first part OF his dnal day on the
bench in Characteristic fashion. dis
posing Of nearly a dozen cases in the
typical language he has always used
He fined one man one cent FOR tax
lodging because, he said, you've
tried to be square and slapped a
$4,000 fine on the mans partner be-
cause ne had not played fair"
In the afternoon the judge sat IN
his chambers amid the debris OF ais
departure, watching his personal
effects being carted away, but never
said a word about it to anyone. who
was standing by watching.
Farewell Brings Tears.
Il was in this surrounding that the
judge soon began to weep as the last
Of his belongings were removed.
Persons from al stages OF life came
TO clasp his hand. Bank presidents
and soldiers mingled with laborers
and occasional FORMER prisoners with
whom the judge had been enemies.
were much in the crowd TO greet
him.
After reading some old papers he
soon was ready to leave the office
with his humble belongings
"Oh hell" he said, Il can't thank
YOU fellows. We've been too good
pals and 1 just cant seem 10 talk.
But I hope that each one OF you
knows down in your hearts that I
hate to leave this building and you
but no, I'm not leaving you fell
lows. We all have our runs and
grow old together. telling each other
how we used to sit on the federal
bench"
Rebukes Old Bailiff.
The last person to bid farewell 20
Judge lands was Joe Buckner. bail
if in the judges first court. Buck
ner left his bed, where he was con-
fined with pneumonia to journey
through a snow storm for the fare
we'll
why. Joe. Joe" said the Judge.
I What are you doing hereH"
Il just had TO come TO tell you
good bye Judge "
( why I was Just going 20 see you. -
/ answered the judge. Il would not
ever expected you mere on a day like
this"
The Judge took his own muller,
/ put it on Bucknss and rushed him
away.
1000 Per Cent lands
Judge Lands wound up his court
career by disposing Of ten cases IN
rapid fire order. His last decision
sentenced a man TO 30 days IN jail
for violating the prohibition laws
! ard previously he had rendered de-
c-siOns running from a nne Of one
/ cent to a year in prison. He con-
/ Quoted his final court IN his charao-
! teristic fashion. taking cases away
from lawyers 10 COuQACL Lne4u per
/ scnally, laughing, kidding, storm
/ ing and Tuning" In the words OF
a court attendant, he was Il. 900
percent lands"
After the final sentence, Judge
lands said Mr. BalliG. Is there
anw other case"
None, your honor" was the re-
ply.
Court" began the Judge He
/ rose and for several seconds stood
looking around The room. Then he
| continued:
"- is adjourned
The judge stalked into his cham
/ Der without another word.
The judge walked across the
street TO the little lunch counter
where he has taken the midday
meal for II years.
Swiss on rye and milk the COW
/ for the government" shouted the
/ waitress as he entered and a mo-
ment later the Judge was sitting on
a high stool eating his usual noon
I neal-a swiss steak on rye bread
I and a glass Of milk