Evening star., 1932-10-13
Leaders of American Bar
and Judiciary Take Part
in Ceremony.
CHIEF JUSTICE AND DAVIS
ADDRESS NOTABLE GROUP
Distinguished Foreign Jurists Are
Present-Taft Portrait En-
closed in Stone.

AS the last notes of the National
Anthem were sounded by the Marine
Band, the corner stone of the new
Supreme Court Building today was fixed
in place, giving evidence as Chief JUS
tice Hughes phrased it, that the Re-
public endures and this is the symbol
of its faith"
While workmen prepared to fit the
white marble slab in the niche ready
to receive it, President Hoover stepped
forward and laid mortar that cements
1t; in like manner, did Chief Justice
Hughes and Guy A. Thompson. presi-
dent of the American Bar Association
Then the workmen took over the
task, and while the band played the
Star Spangled Banner, the stone, with
only this inscription: "AD. 1882" was
slipped into position
company of more than 5000 wit
messed the ceremony.
NotabIes Are Present.
The Supreme Court justices were
there in their robes of Office members
of the cabinet and of the diplomatic
corps; distinguished representatives of
the legal profession of this and other
countries. Mrs. Hoover and Henry M
Robinson of California, accompanied
the President.
To one of the spectators the event
had special significance. This was the
widow of William Howard Taft, who,
in the office of President and Chief
Justice, had looked to the day when the
court would have its own shelter. To
Mrs Taft had been delegated the task
Of placing in the lead box sealed in the
stone some of the articles chosen to re-
pose there, among them a ceramic
photograph of Mr.. Taft.
Davis Also Speaks.
The Chief Justice spoke on behalf of
the court; for the bar, John w. Davis
spoke.
As the Supreme Court has marched
step by step. with the Union, Davis said
it has been unsullied by breath of
scandal" and SO long as it continues
with courage and fidelity upon its ap
pointed path, SO long-and no longer
will the Republic Of the founders en-
dure"
We are IN time of keen distress
and widespread misgiving." Chief JUS
tlce Hughes said. 1t is a world of
unrest. The perennial strife with law
lessness has assumed new aspects and
has brought society to new and serious
tests of Its ability to protect itself. Few,
if any, have the gift of prophecy.
This edlfice, however. atteStS conf
dence. 1t suggests permanence-not the
permanence of stone and steel, but of
an idea; not, in this respect, Of par
tiCular formulas, but of conception
of the basic needs of our organized So
clety.
Rests on Belief in People.
That confidence and suggestion Of
permanence spring no doubt from be-
lief that our people have political in
stincts and convictions which are not
likely to be uprooted; that government
Of the people, for the people, by the peo-
pie, notwithstanding all shortcomings,
is not to per:sn that such Govern
ment will continue to have, as it has
had, its written prescriptions to secure
distribution and limitation of govern
mental power; that our territory Is too
vast and our political concerns too vari-
Gus to permit of any absolute centrall-
Zation of authority; that in
some practical way the talent of the
Nation for impartial determinations &C
cording to constitutional principles must
find effective expression"
Recounting the Wanderings OF the
Continued OH Page q, Column o.