The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-04

k The Judiciary
 Tho docket of the supreme court is becoming congested. At the open ing term Last year 1t had 582 cases, while this year 1t had 687 cases. Justice long delayed Is justice re- fused. Unless the court be given power by preliminary and summary consideration to determine the i'm portance of cases, and by disposing of those which are not of public moment reserve its time for tho more extended consideration of the
 remainder, the congestion ofis5hc docket is likely to increase. %9Iti is also desirable that tho supreme
 court should have. power to- i'm
 prove and reform procedure in suits
 at law in the federal courts through the adoption of appropriate rules. senate has reported favOrably upon two bills providing for these re- forms which should have the i'm.
 mediate favorable consideration of the congress.
 I further recommend that provision be made for the appointment of com mission, to consist of two or three mem- bers of the federal judiciary and as many members of the bar, to examine the present criminal code of procedure and recommend to the congres meas ures which may reform and expedite court procedure in the administration and enforcement of our criminal laws. Prison Reform
 Pending before congress is bill which has already passed one house providing for a reformatory to which could be committed first offenders and young men for the purpose of segregat- ing them from contact with hardened criminals and providing them with spe- cial training, in order to re-establlsh in them the power to pursue law-abid- ing existence in the social and economic life of the nation. This is matter of so much importance as to warrant the early attention of the present ses- sion. Further provision should also be made, for like reason, for separate i reformatory for women.
 l Normal Police Bureau Representatives of the international police conference will bring to the at- tention of the congress proposal for the establishment of a national police bureau. Such action would provide a central point for gathering, compiling, and later distributing to local police au- | thorities much information which would be helpful in the prevention and detec- tion of crime. l believe this bureau is needed, and I recommend favorable consideration of this proposal.
 District of Columbia Welfare The welfare work of the District of Columbia is administered by several different boards dealing with charities and various correctional efforts. It would. be an improvement if this work were consolidated and placed under the direction of single commission.
 French SpOliation Claims | During the last session of congress legislation was introduced looking to the payment of the remaining claims gener- ally referred to as the French spoilation claims. Congress has provided for the payment of many similar claims. Those that remain unpaid have been long pend- ing. The beneficiaries hereunder have every reason to expect payment. These claims have been examined by the court of claims and their validity anal Amount determined. The United States ought to pay it's debts. l reco nmend action by the congress which will permit of the payment of these remaining claims.
 The Wage Farmer
 | Two very important policies have
 been adopted by this country which,
 while extending their benefits also
 in other directions, have been Of
 the utmost importance to the wage | earners. One of these is the pro-
 tective tariff, which enables our
 people to live according tp better
 standard and receive 8 better rate
 of compensation than any people,
 and time, anywhere on earth, ever
 enjoyed. This saves the American
 market for the products Of the American workmen. The other IS | policy of moro recent origin and
 eseks to shield our wage earners
 from the disastrous competition Of
 great influx of foreign peoples.
 This has been done by the restric-
 tive immigration law. This saves
 the American job for the American | wOrkmen. I should like to see the
 administrative features of this law | rendered little more humane for | the purpose of permitting those al-
 ready here a greater latitude in se-
 curing admission of members of
 their own families. But | believe
 this law in principle is necessary
 and sound, and destined to increase
 greatly the public welfare. We must maintain our own economic | position, we must defend our own
 national integrity.
 It is gratifying to report that the progress of industry, the enormous in crease in individual productivity through labor-saving devices, and the high rate of wages have all combined to furnish our people in general with such an abundance not only of the nee essaries but of the conventiences or life that we are by natural evo- lution solving our problems of economic and social justice.
 The Negro
 These developments have brought about very remarkable improvement in the condition of the negro race. Grad ually, but surely, with the almost unl- versal sympathy of those among whom they live, the colored people are work I ing out their own destiny. l firmly believe that it is better for all con cerned that they should be cheerfully accorded their full constitutional rights, that they should be protected from all of those impositions to which, rom their position, they naturally tal d prey, especially from the crime Of lynch- ing, and that they should receive ev- cry encouragement to become full par takers in all the blessings of our com mon American citizenship.
 Civil Service
 The merit system has long been re- cognized as the correct basis for employ ment in our civil service. believe that first, second, and third class postmast'