Evening star., 1924-12-21
BECK ASKS PUBLIC
TO AID HIGH COURT
La Toilette "CriSis" Sur
vived, But New Attacks Must
Be ForestaIIed, He Holds.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK. December 2o.--Eow
that presidential campaign proposals
70 curb the powers of the Supreme
Court have been Stricken by the
lightning of public Indignation" 1t is
hll-important that public confidence
in the court be strengthened" James
NJ. Beck, Solicitor General Of the
United States, told the Pennsylvania
Society. in annual session al the Wal
dorf Astoria tonight.
Mr. Beck suggested two ways of
attaining the desired end: First, the
resurrection of such public interest
in deliberations OF the Supreme Court
as was manifest a century ago; sec
ond, the creation of a cooperative
arrangement between the court, the
executive and the Legislative branches
of Government whereby preliminary
opinions upon the constitutioality oc
proposed legislation might be handed
down. to save such Legislation from
later branding as unconstitutional.
SECS Real Crisis Survived.
4 real crisis IN the life Of the Su-
preme Court was survived in the last
election when "a distinguished SEN
pairmenL OF this balance wheel OF our
governmental machinery" according
to Mr.. Bect
Like Dagon. in the Old Testament"
he said, the lie Toilette party pat an
irapious hand on the ark of the cove
nant and, Ike Dagon, it was stricken
by the lightning of public indtgna-
tion."
Nevertheless, Atr. Beck pointed out,
100000 citizens supported La Fol
lette's proposal. and such dissent
TO vital part of an institution can
not be ignored by thoughtful men, for
nothing is more certain that taat this
IS not the last assault upon the Su-
preme Court
Urges Interest In Court.
Greater public interest must attend
the courts deliberations; the court
itself must cease becoming more and
more d monasie institution" and its
judges must not be expected TO De
political recluses,P said the Solicitor
General
AS evidence that the court had once
hsen the republics greatest forum
of Intellectual discussion" whose
doings were widely reported by the
newspapers and just as widely read,
Mr.. Beck cited the steamboat case"
Of a century ago. involving the right
Of New York State to grant a monop-
oily of the right of navigation over
BY way of contrast, Mr.. Beck told
how last week he argued for two
days before the Supreme Court a case
OF similar nature, in which the Gov
ernment sought to restrain the city
of Chicago from diverting into the
Mississippi watershed s64,00o,o0
cubic feet per day of Lake Michigan
waters.
Finds Suit Ignored.
80
terests," he said Hundreds of mill
lions of dollars were involved. yet
not ar Eastern newspaper apparently
made the slightest reference to this
notable case
In submitting his second suggestion
for Strengthening public interest in
the Supreme Court, MT Beck said:
If Congress, by q joint resolution
signed by the President, requested
the court TO give an advisory opinion
as to whether proposed law is
within the competence of the Govern
nlent, is il clear that the ceurt should
decline its add?
II recognize that If a bare majority
of Congress could thus drag the
Supreme Court into any current
political controversy it's prestige
would be In danger. But. If Con-
gressmen of both parties, sincerely
dubious of their power to pass a law,
could. by resolution passed by a
largely preponderating majority of
Congress-say, two thirds-and sign
ed by the President, request such
advice, / am not SO clear as others
are, that such an advisory opinion,
under great and exceptional circum-
stances, and resting solely in the
discretion of the court, would be
prejudicial either to the Government
or the court"
Coolidge Sends Greeting.
The following letter was received by
Charles M. Schwab from President
Coolidge before the dinner.
December 13, 1924.
my dear Mr.. Schwab:
My regret that ] am unable to ac-
cept your invitation for the annual
dinner of the Pennsylvania Society of
New York Is enhanced by the fact that
the society's guest of honor is to be
the solicitor general. Hon. James NJ.
Beck.
1T would be particularly a pleasure
to join in your recognition of him and
his pubic service. 1t Is the good for
tune OF the Government that Its serv-
ice eniiSts SO many men, of whom the
solicitor general is type, who are
willing to give it the benefit of large
talents and wide experience. chiefly
as patriotic duty. There cannot be
too frequent or generous recognition
of the country's debt to men who thus
generously sacrificed their personal in
terests in order to follow their con-
victions of public duty.
! send my greetings and all good
wishes to the members of the society
on this occasion.
Very truly yours,
CALVIN COOLIDGE"
Chief Justice Taft also sent a mes
sage OF feiicitation to the guest Of
honor.