Evening star., 1932-10-13
NEW COURT ED|FGE
CORNERSTONE LAID
President, Chief Justice and
John W., Davis Lead Capitol
Hill Ceremony.
Continued From First Page.)

CONTINUED From First Page)
court, Chief Justice Hughes said the
new building was badly needed. but
that the chamber occupied nov would
be left with "keen regret"
1T will be long, indeed" he said,
before this beautiful building can
boast of the spiritual endowment which
has blessed the old home.
For the enterprise now progressing
to completion in worthiiy meeting these
needs we are indebted to the late Chief
Justice William Howard Taft, more
than to any one else"
Interpretation Still Needed.
Although the court has more than
once declared that the Constitution is
q written instrument and that as such
its meaning does not alter, "the day
of Interpretation is not over" Mr..
Davis emphasized.
And in the future, no less than
than in the past, there will arise again
and yet again the challenging question
whether old words have taken ch new
meaning in the light Of changing facts.
or whether new facts must find their
proper setting In the frame OF ancient
words" he continued.
And in a time, the speaker said.
| when the winds of political sophistry
threaten to tear from her moorings
the ship Of state. and when the beating
waves Of impatient change would bear
her out to the unknown deep. it Is the
voice OF the Constitution speaking here
that will bid the wind and the waves
be STILL
Here, he said, will be the house OF
refuge for all such as are oppressed"
Traces History Of Court.
In his speech, Mr.. Davis traced the
history of the court and its travels, since
the openin gsessions, which were held In
the building of the Royal Exchange on
Broad street in New York. The new
stopping place, and then Washington.
where for one period of 40 years Mar
shall, Taney and their great colleagues
occupied remote corner" of the Cap
itol which critics were won't to say was
hardly capacious enough for a ward
| justice"
In his introduction, Guy A. Thomp-
son. president Of the American Bar AS
sociation, who presided, drew compari-
son between the stone and bronze that
glorify valor on the battlefield. and the
structure rising here-"a memorial OF
bloodless battles yet battles
on whose issues hung our liberties. the
integrity Of our Federal Union, its har-
mony and balance. and our social and
economic destiny"
1T will be a monument that will in
spire the members Of our profession,
both those Of today and those who are
yet to come" he prophesied.
Justice Brandeis Absent.
Arrangements had been made to seat
1850 persons at the ceremony, and by
J the time 1t began the inclosure for the
guests was crowded, as were nearby
| points of vantage.
Chill winds forced a general bundling
! up, and after President Hoover had put
on his hat most Of the spectators did
| likewise. For a while rain threatened
to break into the proceedings.
M. Thompson and Mr.. Davis, him.
self former president Of the American
| Bar Association. stood at the head OF
the steps leading up to the speakers
| platform to greet the arriving guests.
First came the Supreme Court justices,
only Justice Brandeis being absent
Shortly thereafter the presidential party
| arrived, and Mr.. Hoover carried on ami
mated conversation with the bar leaders
| while awaiting the start Of the program.
| Mr.. Davis injected a note Of humor
IN the proceedings when, In discus sing
moves made by the court, he looked
down at the Marques of Reading and
smiled as he referred to a shift occa-
stoned by certain ncendiary proceed
.ngs In 1914"
Foreign Leaders Attend.
The marques sat with Paul Reynaud
Of France and Newtcn w. Rowell, presi-
dent Of the Canadian Bar Association,
who, like the distinguished Briton. are
guests Of the Bar Association. Frank
B. Kellogg, former Secretary Of State,
also was in this group.
At the conclu; ion Of the ceremony
the guests went to the Library of Con-
gress to view sn exhibit of rare legal
books, manuscripts and prints from the
archives Of the United States Supreme
Court.
Tonight the members Of the Bar
Association will be guests of President
and Mrs. Hoover at the annual recep-
ton to the judiciary.
Taft Selected Site.
A structure which will cost approx
mately $4,000, 900 when completed, the
building is mounting on a 7-acre site
that was selected by William Howard
Taft, just north Of the Library of Con-
gress.
In the list of objects in a box placed
| IN the corner stone was ceramic pho
tograph of Mr.. Taft. whom Chief JUS
tice Hughes succeeded. Taft's influence
i Is credited with having much to do with
| the authorization by Congress in 1925 OF
the building.
The new building will be 385 feet east
and west and 304 north and south. The
Supreme Court room on the main floor
will have 60 per cent more space than
the present chamber and on the three
floors there will be ample space for
Offices for the justices, attorneys. court
officials, room for documents and other
needed space.
elans for the new building. Corinthian
in design, were drawn by Cass Gilbert,
architect. 1t probably will be completed
| In time for the court to hold its 1894
| term there. Since 1850 the court has
occupied the old Senate chamber in the
! Capitol.
Members of the Supreme Court are,
| in addition to the Chief Justice, Willis
! Van Devanter. Wyoming; James Clark
McReynolds. Tennessee; Louis Dembitz
Bran6eis. Kentucky; George Sutherland.
Utah; Pierce Butler. Minnesota: Owen
J. Roberts, Pennsylvania: Harlan p.
Stone, New York, and Benjamin Nathan
Cardozo, New York.