Evening star., 1937-08-25
ROOSEVELT SIGNS
COURT BILL, HITS
IT FOR OMISSIONS
"FieId Calls for More CON-
pIete Exploration" He
Declares.
MODERATE ADVANCE"
CITED BY PRESIDENT
Relief of Burden Now Imposed
on High Tribunal Is Ignored"
He Holds.
BACKGROUND

One of bitterest fights in Nations
political history ,0as precipitated
last February by President Roose-
Delt Uhen he proposed reorganiza-
ton OF Federal judiciary. Sugges-
ton centered around CHANCES in
Supreme Court.
Finally, Congress passed compro-
mise bill, Which does not affect
Supreme Court.
President Roosevelt today an
nounced his approval of the so-called
small-courts bill. but severely criti-
cized its lack of provision for impor-
tant judicial reform objectives he had
sought from Congress.
After signing the bill last night
Mr.. Roosevelt prepared a statement
Tor the press, which said that while
the measure contains several provi-
slons which are definitely a step in
the right direction" it leaves entirely
untouched any method of relieving the
burden now imposed on the Supreme
Court"
He declared the bill registers a
moderate and limited advance into a
field which calls for further and more
complete exploration"
Other Criticism Of Bill.
Besides omitting to relieve the su-
preme Courts burden, the President
said, the bill is lacking in the follow
ing things:
1T provides no increase in the per-
sonnel of the lower courts-an in
crease confessedly necessary.
1T provides no effective means of
assigning district judges to pressure
areas.
1T sets up no flexible machinery.
with methods of administration read
lily adaptible to needs as they arise.
1T leaves untouched the crowded
condition of the dockets in our lower
courts.
1T provides for no flow of new blood
TO any Of the Federal benches.
1T does not touch the problem Of
aged and infirm judges who fail to
take advantage Of the opportunity
AFFORDED them to resign or retire on
full pay.
Commends Some Features.
The President asserted all Of these
are objectives which are of necessity
part Of any complete and rounded
plan for the reform of judicial
processes
On the other hand, the President
stated, the bill contains a number OF
commendable reforms which should
be OF great value in improving the
work Of the courts.
He pointed out that the measure
provides that the Attorney General
shall be given notice of constitutional
questions involved in private litigation
and accords the Government the right
TO defend the constitutionality of the
law Of the land"
Text of Statement.
The text of the Presidents state
ment follows:
On the fifth day OF February l
brought to the attention of the Con-
gress the necessity of a careful and
thorough-going reformation of our
judicial processes and submitted ten
tatlve plans outlining essential objec-
tives.
These objectives, recognized as de-
slrable by most of our citizens. were
predlcated on the necessities OF great
ana growing Nation. Many Of US have
viewed with concern the widening
chasm between the people on the one
slde and the courts and the bar on
tne other-a chasm recognized and
oeplored by many of our ablest and
most enlightened judges and lawyers.
II can hardly be doubted that our peo-
pie are restive under the slow and
uncertain processes of the law.
spoke, therefore, for an upbuild-
ing process, not only to preserve the
independence and integrity of the ju-
dietary, but to reinforce It and
strengthen it as an essential and hon
ored part of our institutions.
In effect, I spoke in behalf of the
american people in their desire for in
creased respect for, and confidence in,
speedy and fundamental Justice as
represented by the Federal courts
we have wanted to bring to an
end trying period during which it
mas seemed that veritable conspiracy
existed on the part of many of the
most gifted members Of the legal pro-
fesslon to take advantage of the tech
nicalities OF the law and the consery-
atism OF the courts to render meas
ures OF social and economic reform
sterile or abortive. Because repre-
sentative government in order to sue
ceed, must act through the processes
OF law. 1t Is necessary for it to attain
q high degree of cooperation among
its three coordinate branches.
In the light of the above, there
fore, let us examine H. R. 226O, which
is bill affectuating certain changes
in judicial procedure. 1t contains
meritorious provisions and registers a
moderate and limited advance into a
field which calls for further and more
complete exploration.
Supreme Court Untouched,
"On the side Of omission, it leaves
entirely untouched any method of re-
lieving the burden now imposed on the
Supreme Court.
1T provides no increase in the per.
sonnel Of the lower courts-an increase
confessedly necessary.
1T provides no effective means Of
(see COURT, Page A-3)