Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-07

Continued From First Page.)
judges we have already are working
harder down there than this record
shows they are"
Justice Stafford explained that he
had been i'll and returned to the bench
contrary to the advice of his physician,
who admonished him not to spend more
than two hours on the bench. Both
justices called attention that it was
contrary to law for them to sit after IL
noon on Saturdays. They said that in
some civil cases much research work
was required before Judge was pre-
pared to render his decision, with which
Representative Simmons agreed, re-
m1nd1ng them that he is a lawyer him
self. He emphasized that the subcom-
mittee is not endeavoring to Judge the
work OF the court by the number of
cases 1t dispoSeS Of.
Criticism Is Sharp.
An extract from the stenographic re-
port OF the hearings shows the sharp
ness OF the criticism directed at the
justices:
Mr.. Thatcher Representative Thatch-
er OF Kentucky Nov, has there been
any discussion in your court as to
whether you need additional courts?
Justice Stafford-If there were 10
judges working all the time they could
not keep up with the current business
Mr.. Simmons-Not If they did not
work any more than this table indi-
Gates the present judges do.
StreSsing the fact that each year they
are asked to approve increased appro-
pr1ationS for more jurieS, members of
the committee asked If under such cir
cumstances with the dockets far behind
in civil cases and a year behind in
criminal cases, the judges didn't think
their time on the bench was rather
brief, as shown in the timetable Mr..
Simmons had produced.
Justice Stafford-Now as practical
matter that does look short.
Mr.. StmmonS-1t is short!
Justice Stafford-But I would like to
and undertake to do much more with
the bar here and the witnesses.
Five Hours Per Day.
Mr.. Simmons said the time-tabl he
held had been placed in the hands of
the Department Of Justice. He Sug-
gested that each judge should sit at
least f1ve hours day, and in reply to
a question by Justice Siddons empha-
sized that he meant actually "on the
bench"
Mr.. Simmons also confronted the Su-
preme Court justices with the testimony
Of judges Of the Police Court that they
handle IS per cent of the criminal bust
ness Of the District of Columbia and the
Municipal Court judges that they han
die approximately 95 per cent OF the
civil cases.
Both Justices Stafford and Siddons
admitted that this was probably true,
calling attention to the fact that some
hn al
800 criminal indictments and that the
municipal courts handle only civil cases
involving amounts up to 81 900. In re-
ply Representative Simmons check
mated with the statement that two
judges of the Municipal Court told him
IT, they could handle cases up to
$4,000 or $1,000 without any additional
force and clean up the docket. At this
point another extract from the steno-
graphic report is pertinent:
Justice SiddonS-They are very I'M
usual men and should be encouraged.
Mr.. Simmons understand they are
having opposition there from the Court
of Appeals or from your court.
Justice Siddons-Our courtl We have
nothing to do with 1t.
Justice Stafford-There Is no appeal
to our court.
Two Years Behind.
Frank E. Cunningham, clerk of the
District Supreme Court, asked how far
behind the court was in its work, said
that 1t is two years behind in jury trials
of civil cases and about one year be-
hind in trial Of civil cases. The steno-
graphic report continues:
Mr.. Simmons-Why cannot they be
triedP The judges are there and the
jurieS are there.
Mr.. northumberland they can
not reach them. They are cases that
have accumulated.
Mr.. Simmons understand that, but
If the judges are there and willing to
work the length Of time necessary and
the witnesses
Mr.. Cunningham (interposing)
II the judges would work IL hours a
day
Mr.. Simmons (nterrupting Mr.. Cum
ninghauR CLet US stay down IN the
-