The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-03-22
CHIEF JUSTICE
 HUGHES WRITES
Continued From Page 1.l

puted reorganization plan proposed by President Roosevelt. Associate Justice James C. McReynolds, ir an informal address delivered be. fore a college fraternity last week made indirect reference to the pres. ident's proposal and indicated his lack of sympathy for the program
 For. the most part, Hughes let. ter was an explanation of the courts work, its docket and its routine--a statement conflicting di. rectly with the argument of some administration leaders that the court is unable to keep Up with its work. .....
 Abreast of Its Work
 "The supreme court is fully abreast of It's work" the chief justice wrote to Wheeler. This gratifying condi- tion has obtained for several years We have been able for several terms to adjourn after disposing of all cases which arc ready to be heard.
 Hughes letter pointed out that the supreme court docket is classified as original and appellate" Our original Jurisdiction" ht said, Ifs defined by the Constitution and embraces cases to which states are parties. There are not many oi these. At the present time they number l3 and are in various stages of progress to submission for de- termination.
 Our appellate Jurisdiction covers those cases in which appeal is al- lowed by statute as a matter of right and cases which come up to us on writS of certiorari."
 He presented comparative state- ment of the cases on tho dockets for the six terms preceding the current term.
 Further statistics for these terms and those for earlier terms arc available if you desire them," the letter said. t.4,
 During the present term we have thus far disposed of 666 cases which include petitions for certiorari and cases which have been argued on the merits and already decided" In regard to the general idea oi enlargement of the supreme court or its division into several panels Hughes letter said:--
 Tt Is believed that 1t would im- pair that efficiency (of the court) 50 long as the court acts as q unit There would be more judges to hear more judges to confer. more judges to discuss, more judges to be con- vinced and to decide. The present number of justices is thought to be convinced and to decide. The pres ent number of justices is thought tc be large enough so far as the prompt. adequate and efiicicnt con- duct of the work of the court is concerned. AS I have said, dc not speak of any other considera. tons in view of the appropriate at titude of the court in relation to questions of policy.
 Plan Impracticablc
 T understand that 1t has been suggested that with more justices the court could hear cases in divisions It is believed that such a plan would be impracticable. A large propor- tion of the cases we hear are impor- tant and decision by a part of the court would be unsatisfactory.
 T may also call attention to the provision of Article III, Section 1, oi the Constitution that the judicial power of the United States shall be vested fin one supreme court and in such inferior courts as the con- gress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Constitution does not appear to authorize two or more supreme courts or two or more parts of supreme court function ing in effect as separate courts.
 "On account of the shortneSs of time I have not been able to con- suit with the members of the court generally with respect to the fore going statement, but am confident that 1t is in accord with the views of the justices. should say, how ever. that I have been able 10 con- suit with Mr. Justice Van Devanter and MT. Justice Brandeis. and I am at liberty to say that the statement is approved by them"
 Letter Went Into Detail
 The Hughes letter went into de- tail in regard to the work of the court.
 "The statute relating to our ap- peIlate jurisdiction" it said. Limits to certain cases the, appeals which come to the supreme court as a met fer Of right. Review in other casei is made Co depend upon tho all0g. anee by the court 0f . srlt 0f eeF- iioFari."
 iie pointed cat that congressional action limiting appeals and broad.