Evening star., 1939-10-14
Justice Proctor
Enters Plea
For Courthouse.
Bor Association
Votes to Garry On
Trust Company Fight

Votes to Garry On
Trust Company Fight
Justice James M. Proctor of Dis
trict Court, speaking before the
Bar Association of the District of
Columbia last night at the May
flower Hotel, urged that immediate
attention be given to the problem
of new courthouse for the tribunal
and that study be devoted TO the
best methods of handling domestic
relations cases. with facilities for
reaching the truth. An association
committee will be named to study
the domestic relations problem inn
mediately.
Seton Darr, the associations
president. who presided, announced
steps looking to the formation of
judicial council for the District of
Columbia, on which the courts,
bar and public would be represent
ed, to coordinate the work of the
courts, consider legislation and COM
pile data on the work of the courts.
Under authority of the Board of
Directors, Mr. Darr said. he has ap-
pointed Camden r. McAtee as chair
man of special committee to study
the proposal
After listening to report of the
Committee on Suppression of Un-
authorized Practice of Law. pre-
sented by the chairman. Richard l..
Merrick. the association unanimous
ly voted its suggestion that the
organization carry to the Supreme
Court its fight against the American
Security & Trust Co.. which it con-
tends is illegally practicing law. The
association lost in the United States
Court of Appeals and is about to
seek writ of certiorari in the Ma
tons highest tribunal.
Cites Lack Of Quorum"
During the discussion on this sub
ject, Levi H. Davis said he thought
it an outrage" that the six judges
of the appellate court did not sit
on case OF that importance and
that only three of the justices con-
sidered it. He asked whence comes
the authority for half of the court
to speak for the entire tribunal. Mr.
Merrick observed that he does not
think that three judges out of six
constitute a quorum of the United
States Court of Appeals and will
urge this point before the Supreme
Court.
William F. Richardson, chairman
of the Committee on Corporations.
presented report, which was read
by President Darr and recited that
legislation is being drafted in CO.
operation with the District govern
ment officials to give the National
Capital model corporation law. At
present. the report said. some $4,000
corporations are doing business here,
but less than 10 per cent of them
are incorporated in the District. re-
sulting in more than 81 900 900 an
nualiy being diverted from the city
solely because of the lack of "a
proper law" under which these COM
panies might function here.
Austin F. Garfield, chairman of
the associations Committee on Ad-
missions, explained the system of in
vestigation of applications for MEM
bership and forecast 50 new men,
bers by November l. F. Regis Noel.
chairman of the Committee on the
New Courthouse. advised the men,
bership that prospects for a new
building are hopeful. S. Albert
Mickler. on behalf of the Committee
on Public Relations. of which Leo
A. Rover is chairman, reported on
the work of that body and pointed
out that Harryman Dorsey is assist
ing the press as liaison officer.
Proposed Changes Read.
A set OF proposed amendments TO
the bylaws. slated to be acted upon
at the next meeting on November
IA. was read, They specify that new
officers be chosen in June rather
than January. so as to whip into
shape legislative program for pres
entation to Congress when it assem-
bles in January, the incoming regime
to serve until June. 194l; that sec
tlons similar to those existing in
the American Bar Association for
the various fields of law be set UP
within the association. and that
member. chosen from the Junior bar
section, be added to the board of di-
rectors
Henry I. Quinn, shortly after
Justice Proctor finished speaking
secured the adoption of a resolution
whereby President Darr will appoint
committee to make a thorough
study of domestic relations cases and
study improved methods of handling
this type of litigation and make rec
concentrations to the association.
This proposal was adopted unani-
mously.
Would Require Reports on Acts.
Lunsford l.. Hammer proposed a
resolution under which members
would be required to report to the
Committee on Admissions and
Grievances of District Court any
act, acts or conduct of members
OF the bar which would constitute
grounds for disbarment or other
disciplinary action and if they failed
so to report, members would sub
ject themselves to disciplinary ac-
ton. Lawrence Koenigsberger urged
that the resolution be given the title
To Constitute an Ogpu for the
Bar Association" but President Darr
held this out of order. On a voice
vote. the association empowered the
chair to name a committee of three
to confer with the Committee on
Admissions and Grievances. after
Mr.. Canf1eld. q member of this COM
mittee and others had spoken
against the wording of Mr.. Hammers
resolution.
Albert L. Cox spoke on the Red
Cross Roll Call and A. K. Shipe told
the association that henceforth there
will be but one classification for
lawyers In the city directory. instead
OF segregating the types of practice
of the law