The Washington times., 1929-10-07
1900 CASES
AWAITING
ACTION
BY WILLIAM 8. NEAL
International News Service


Assuming leadership in a
campaign to speed up judicial
business, the United States
Supreme Court entered upon
It's 1929-30 term today with a
program which calls for dis
position Of $50 cases within
three weeks.
annual call at the White House, the
court planned to devote its efforts
to consideration of petitions for
writs of review and jurisdictional
statements. The program Of Chief
Justice Taft calls for decision in all
OF these matters before the court
begins oral arguments.
All of the nine justices were
ready for the long eight months
grind facing them, despite the fact
that four are above the retirement
age of 20 years. Chief Justice Taft
appeared to be in splendid health,
and Associate Justice Oliver Wendell
Holmes, now IS years old, began
the term with no hint Of resignation.
May Be 1900 Cases
Despite the efforts of the court to
reduce delay and to prevent con-
yicted criminals from using the high
court to escape immediate sentence
by advancing these cases, the court
was faced by docket which is ex-
pected to grow to nearly 1,200 cases
during the winter.
Every effort is to be made by the
high court to completely "catch up
with it's business before June. Such
progress was made last year that
arguments We're suspended early be-
cause no cases were ready to be
heard.
Some Recommendations
One of the proposals before the
council-to allow substituted service
In prohibition padlocking cases to
speed them along-was to be re-
ferred to the court by Chief JUS
tice Taft for consideration of con.
stitutional questions.
Other recommendations of the
council included an additional cir
cult judge in the fifth circuit, from
Florida to Texas; district judges
from Minnesota, southern Cali
fornia, and a successor to Judge
Winslow, in New York. resigned
and quick action by the Senate on
the case of Judge Watson, ap-
pointed for the middle Pennsylvania
district.
The council named a committee
of three to consider bankruptcy re-
forms with New York bar asso-
pealed for more clerical help in
clerks offices.
Having disposed of some of the
most important cases ever before
the court last year, the Supreme
Courts docket contained compare
lively few matters regarded as of
paramount Importance.
Noted Railroad Case
One Of the most important cases
ts, the appeal of many railroads to
reverse an order of the Interstate
Commerce Commission reducing
freight rates on deciduous fruit
from California to the East. The
Case involves construction of the
Hoch-Smith resolution by which
Congress directed that the depressed
condition of agriculture be con-
sidered in fixing rates. The resolu.
ton, as construed by the commits
sion, is unconstitutional, railroads
contend.
The Great Lakes diversion case is
expected to be thrown back into
the court on a report from Special
Master Charles E. Hughes.
Attacks on constitutionality Of
CALIFORNIA; gas tax and motor We
hicle tax laws may furnish prece-
dents Of important bearing on other
similar State laws
Liquor and Taxes
The docket includes the usual
grist of prohibition cases, including
one tasting the right of the Govern.
1nent to confiscate barrels and bot
ties used in making liquors. A
lower court decision holding that
the purchaser of liquor cannot he
convicted under the dry law also is
expected to be brought to the court
Tax cases involving millions Of
dollars to the Government are also
before the court. as we'll as many
patent cases involving large sums.
Construction of the Federal radio
act is expected to be made by the
court as well as some phases OF the
new merchant marine act