Evening star., 1926-05-01
Chief Justice Takes Stand as
First Witness-Says Dock
cts in Good Shape.
RUDOLPH QUESTIONED
ON DISTRICT CONTRACTS
Says His Firm Got No Favors-Is
Grilled on Other Points, In
cluding Merger.


ditions in Washington. members of
the Gibson subcommittee of the
House District committee today ques-
toned Chief Justice Walter ]. Mccoy
of the District Supreme Court regard
ing the condition of the docket, the
question of members of the court act
ing as professors in law schools and
also concerning the legality of the
appointment of Chief Justice McCoys
son as secretary to his father.
Before Justice Mccoy took the
stand, Chairman Gibson made a state
ment in which he declared that the
subcommittee is not directing any
attack against the courts of the
District of Columbia. After reading
the resolution under which the in
vestigation was begun, Mr.. Gibson
pointed out that the testimony is be-
ing taken with n view TO recon-
mending any remedial legislation that
may be found desirable at the close
of the inquiry.
The statement of Mr. Gibson
prompted Representative Blanton of
Texas to say that he agreed with
the views of the chairman except that
he thought it should be understood
that if any judge here has beer
guilty of improper actions we would
not hesitate TO make recommenda-
tionS.
Mr.. Blanton added that he had the
highest regard for the members of
the District Supreme Court and said
they had been very considerate to-
ward him since he had been here.
Court i'm Good Condition.
JrS+ico NTcCoI- wa @ ,ot caIIad IN tho
stand until after the subcommittee
had spent two hours inquiring into
the proceedings in the District Su.
preme Court in litigation between cer-
tain parties interested in the affairs
of an insurance relief association.
Representative Gilbert of Kentucky
took charge of the questioning of
Chief Justice Mccoy. beginning with a
query. as to the present condition of
the docket of the court.
''On the civil side, up to last Fall,
the docket was in good condition"
Justice Mccoy replied. He said the
calendar was in good shape when the
term began in October, that it had
gotten behind somewhat during the
term. but was in fairly good condition.
In the civil jury court. he said. the
calendar is well up. On the criminal
side, he said, there are approximately
$50 of what might be called live
cases.
At this point Representativ- Gilbert
observed that your court is in better
condition, then, than similar courts in
the United States
How far behind are you in days
on the criminal cases?" Mr.. Gilbert
asked.
THAT is hard to say. A defendant
cannot be pushed to trial if the law
yers are not ready"
Justice Mccoy explained that
about two years ago the judges
started out to determine by careful
study the status of business in the
district attorneys office, as Il result
of which a system has been worked
out that discloses at any time just
how many cases are pending.
Questions Hours of Court.
Representative Gilbert next inquired
regarding the number of days a week
and the hours during which the court
sits. The chief justice explained that
the court usually sits five and some
times six days week. depending on
the nature of the litigation. The
judges do not hold equity court on
Saturday, he said, because Friday is
motion day and there are usually so
or 40 motions, many of them demur-
rerS, that must be taken under ad-
visement by the judges.
How long a vacation do you have?"
Mr.. Gilbert asked.
Mine weeks" the chief justice an.
swered.
Mr.. Gilbert then asked If the wit
ness thought the condition of the
courts business was such that they
could get along with fewer judges.
Il do not" the chief justice re-
sponded. II feel we need more"
Mr.. Gilbert wanted to know if Chief
Justice Mccoy had any other duties
for which he received remuneration
and he answered that he did not have
any.
''Do any of the others. that you
know off," Mr.. Gilbert questioned.
Four Teach i'm Law Schools.
-Four of them teach in law schools"
said the chief justice.
Subsequent questions brought out
that they were Justices Stafford.
Hoehling. Siddons and Bailey.
1t was then testified that Justice
Ioehlinc teaches at Georgetown. JUS
tice Stafford at George Washington
SLSitS CuSiAOCS OiuuOIS
Bailey at the National Law School.
"Who is the dean of Georgetown
Law School?' Mr.. Gilbert asked.
The chief justice replied. George
F.. Hamilton" and Mr.. Gilbert then
wanted to know if Mr.. Hamilton en-
cages actively in the practice of law
The chief justice said he had never
seen Mr.. Hamilton in court.
After putting similar questions re-
garding the dean of the National Law
School, Representative Gilbert asked:
'Who is your secretary"
The chief justice answered that his
son held that position.
Mr.. Gilbert inquired if the son held
any other position, and the chief JUS
tice replied that he practices law, but
not in his court.
Defends Sons Appointment.
Mr.. Gilbert then read from Sec
ton of law setting forth In substance
that no person related to any Judge
within the degree of first cousin shall
be appointed to any Office or duty in
anv court in which he Is a member.
''Do you hold that the appointment
of your son is not in violation of
that?" Mr.. Gilbert asked.
Chief Justice Mccoy replied that
there has been a ruling by a former
controller Of the Treasury, rendered
in another case, in which it was held
that the appointment would be
(Continued on Page 4, Column ~