Evening star., 1928-05-09
ADDITIONAL JUDGE
FOR D. c. FAVORED
House Judiciary Committee
Recommends Increase in
Supreme Court.

An additional justice for the Supreme
Court OF the District of Columbia was
recommended to the House today by
Chairman Graham of the judiciary
committee. This action was taken fol-
lowing a hearing before the Christie
pherson subcommittee, at which 1t was
emphasized that an additional justice
is particularly needed In order
to expedite condemnation cases. The
corporation counsel advised both the
judiciary committee and the House Dis
trict committee that the principal diff
ficulty experienced in condemnation
proceedings by the municipal admins.
tration is due to the impoSsibility OF
getting such cases tried in the court.
In a further effort to expedite con-
demnation proceedings for the Federal
Government In acquisition of sites for
the Federal building program, the Bot
anic Garden, the National Arboretum
and the new Supreme Court Building.
the House District committee today or
dered a special meeting tomorrow or
Friday to act on the Gibson bill. which
sets up a new condemnation law hav-
ing the support of the Department OF
Justice and the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission. The House
District committee deferred action to-
day owing TO the absence from the city
of Chairman Mcleod Of the judiciary
subcommittee which has conducted ex-
tensive hearings on the subject.
Early Action Urged.
It was emphasized by Chairman Zihl-
man, Representative Gibson of Vermont,
Representative Reid of Illinois and other
members of the committee that action
on this measure should be taken at the
present session of Congress. The spe-
cial meeting is called in order TO get
a report to the House so that the meas
ure may be called up next Monday,
which is District day.
Mrs Frank B. Noyes, speaking for the
Garden Clubs Of America, explained TO
the committee the difticulties expert
enced in obtaining the land for the Ma
tional Arboretum, pointing out that one
public spirited woman has held much
Of the property for three years until the
Government could take it over. at con-
siderable personal sacrifice. Mrs. NoyeS
answered several objections and many
questions by members OF the committee.
Representative Gilbert was tnSiStent
that the property rights Of individuals
should be fully protected. and Repre-
sentative Reid proposed a provision such
as is carried in the rivers and harbors
act
Representative Gibson said, ct is es-
sential for the Government that We
take action at this session." and 1t was
on his motion that the special meeting
was ordered.
In reporting the bill to the House
Representative Graham said:
This bill Is urgently needed to re-
lieve the congestion of litigation in the
Supreme Court of the District. At the
present time this court has six justices
and has had no increase in the num-
ber of Judges since 1879. The popula-
ton of the District at that time was
about l77,000 and is at least three times
that number today.
THE court has a jurisdiction that is
no doubt broader than that of any
other court in the country. 1t not only
acts as nisi priuS court for the Dis
trict OF Columbia. but its functions also
comprise those of Federal District
Court.
The bill has the approval of the At
torney General. who calls attention
especially TO the necessity for an addi-
tonal Judge 10 take care OF the work
which will accrue from the proceedings
Tor the condemnation of land in the
District in connection with the public
building program.
Cannot Spare Judges.
AT the present time the congestion
Is sueh that no Judge can be spared for
TINS work and although the representa-
yves or the Government and the mu-
mcipa authorities are ready to GO In
tfiai IN these condemnation cases they
are unable 10 do so because no Justice
can be spared and assigned by the
court for this work.
Ihe bill also has the approval of
the Bar Association OF the District of
Columbia, the Board of Trade and other
civic organizations
Ine Attorney General furnished the
judiciary committee with a statement
showing the condition Of the court bust
saying.
1T viii be seen that the number Of
pending civil eases 70 which the unite1
states was party at the end OF each of
THESE years was never leSS than ais.
tnat the smallest number of pending
criminal cases TO which the Omitted
states was a party was Alas; that the
smallest number of pending eases 10
Whlch the United States was not
party was 2,43i, Moreover there is the
additional work which viii accrue from
the condemnation of land IN the Dis
tflct or Columbia in connection with the
public building program"