Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-03

who were resident in the United States
at the time.
other prohibition decisions which he
wrote included those holding that pro-
hibition agents in making arrests on
information furnished to them could
not be compelled to disclose the source
of their information; forbidding State
officials who profit in the division of
fines In prohibition cases from trying
such causes; sustaining prosecutions un-
der Federal laws in cases where de-
PENDANTS had been punished under
State laws; sustaining Federal Courts
in taking Jurisdiction over Federal pro-
hibition officers charged with murder or
other violation of State laws and recog-
nizing the right of the Government to
regulate the shipment of denatured al
cohol.
Disclosing when he changed the long
established procedure en- taking the
judicial oath that he was not to be
bound down by the precedents of the
court, Mr.. Taft continued modifying its
practices not established by statues to
simplify and make more expeditions
the transaction of business. Old hab-
itues of the court, accustomed to regard
things that we're as things that had to
be, were Mortified at his seeming dis
regard of old customs and old methods
Mr.. Taft's infectious chuckle, his
pleasing smile, his consistent good
humor, were taken to the bench by him
Many tedious legal arguments were
punctuated by his humorous interjec-
tions, and often the somber atmosphere
OF the court room was relieved by his
hearty laugh.
Chief Justice Taft has been keenly
interested not only in all proposed legis-
lation directly relating to court mat
tiers, but also has given much attention
to matters relating to changes in the
courts personnel.
The selection of several of his col
leagues on the bench was attributed in
part to him. However that may be-
it is known that he expressed to Presi-
dent Harding his views as to the avail
ability of persons under consideration
for Supreme Court vacancies. At least
two justices appointed to the bench
soon after he was made Chief Justice
were old friends he most eagerly well
coined.
Promoted Team Work.
SO enthusiastic was he in clearing
the congested docket of the court that
he bent every effort to promote team
work among his associates. No case
was too small to receive his attention
and the promptness with which he pre-.
pared opinions in the larger cases KEEP
his associates keyed up to redoublec
effort.
Among the more-important cases II
which the opinions of the court were
delivered by the Chief Justice were
those holding the Federal child-labol
eft traffr Na1 I-1k Y,n.
CARNATIONS could be sued, that the
Railroad Labor Board act was consti.
tutional, sustaining Federal Jurisdiction
over stockyards and stockyard ex-
changes, upholding Federal control over
State railroad rates
The Chief Justice also delivered the
opinion holding that the sanitary dis
trict of Chicago was impairing naviga-
ton on the Great Lakes by divertine
too much water from Lake Michigan
and another holding that States and
not the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion had authority to compel AoilroadS
to construct union stations.
Having discharged the duties of Pres
ldent, the Chief Justice spoke for the
court in solving controversies arising
out OF the Office of Chief Executive.
Probably the most important of these
decisions established the authority of
the President to remove at his pleasure
othceholders appointed by him.
Chief Justice Taft was in poor phys
lcal condition when the Supreme Court
term ended in June, 1929. He then
went to Cincinnati TO visit his brother,
Charles P. Taft, and places of his child
hood. He overtaxed himself by walk
ing while in Cincinnati and came back
TO washington to go into a hospital,
where he remained until he went to
his Summer home at Murray Bay.
Canada
He was taken to the train in a wheel
chair, but last october returned to
Washington sufficiently improved to walk
from the train to his automobile. At
Murray Bay he had suffered an acct
dent while automobiling.
Made Trip Despite Warning.
He was able to attend each session
OF the court until 1t took its recess in
December. Upon his return from Gin
cinnatt-he had undertaken the trip
against the advice of his physician-he
Immediately attended a conference of
the Supreme Court. driving directly
from the station to the Capitol.
After this he was unable to resume
his place on the bench. When the
court reconvened two days later Jus
tice Holmes presided in his absence,
Just before the court started upon its
present recess Justice Van Devanter
presided in the absence of Justice
Holmes, who was confined to his resi-
dence by a cold.
Chief Justice Taft decided to 90 to
Garfield Hospital for treatment for
bladder trouble and after remaining
there about e week he went to Ashe-
vile.
CANADIAN ENVOY DIES.