The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-01-01
LIT|CAT TON.
GAINED IN
1924
Court Cases Increased Both
In Number and In import
ance During Year


Crime and litigation in the Dis
trict Of Columbia is increasing, ac-
cording to the business transacted
in the year just ended by the va
rious branches of the District Su-
preme Court and the Court Of APP
peals, and according to the bust
ness still on the dockets of the
courts and of the office Of the Dis
trict Attorney, awaiting disposal
and adjudication.
Not only from a numerical view
point was there an increase in
cases coming before the courts, but
also from a standpoint of impor-
lance, inasmuch as names Of Con-
gressmen, Senators, former Cabi-
net officers, well-known financiers,
oil magnates and others o. national
prominence, were mentioned in
many of the cases.
1OdpOg OUA1AG NdSC w.
OF national and, therefore political
Importance the following cases were
brought to the attention Of the
courts; alleged conspiracy in the
famous Teapot Dome oil lease ques-
ton; contempt OF the Senate in
refusal of certain witnesses to
answer questions asked in the
Teapot Dome case; conspiracy on
the part Of a Congressman to vio-
late the national prohibition act;
the question as to the legality of
publishing income tax returns and
that Of the Comptroller General Of
the United States to prevent pay
ment of their salary to naval off:
GERS to reimburse the Government
for disallowed payments to depend
ents.
Another important matter receiv-
ing the attention Of the courts was
the rent act question, the Court Of
Appeals declaring that the housing
emergency had ceased and was a
thing of the past. An end was also
put by this court to officers Of the
law entering houses and making
seizures without proper search war
rants. The appellate tribunal re.
fused to enjoin Secretary Wilbur, Of
the Navy, from proceeding with the
sinking Of the battleship Wash
ington. George E. Martin, formerly
Of the Court Of Customs Appeals,
succeeded the late Constantine J.
Smyth, who died, as chief Justice Of
the Court of Appeals.
During the past year there were
more suits filed in the District Su-
preme Court than ever before. On
the law side, 1910 new cases were
entered and 1,415 in equity; 116
applications in bankruptcy and 287
mechanics liens were recorded.
There were 351 persons admitted to
citizenship, and 828 filed their dec
larations of intention to become
citizens.
Wills Filed for Probate.
Altogether, $50 Wills were filed
Tor probate, involving property es.
timated at over $10,00O,O0O. There
was, however, a slight falling off
in the number Of marriage licenses
issued last year by Colonel Knoll,
VINO reported 6,478 permits, as
against $3.50 for the preceding year.
District Attorney Gordon accom-
plished a great deal during last
year in cleaning up" his office Of
cases which had been on the
dockets for ten years and more, and
in many Of which the principals
had died or had left town and in
which witnesses had disappeared
More than 1000 cases of this class
were dropped, with the approval Of
the courts.
The Court Of Appeals rendered
opinions in 297 cases and during the
year 1914 new cases were filed, max
ing 1t the highest number ever to
be recorded within a single year.
The January calendar shows that
ninety seven general cases are up
for hearing, eighteen on the special
calendar, four original petitions and
ninety three patent appeals.