Evening star., 1942-09-29
Judicial Conference
Considers 0bjectiyes
In Legislation
New Criminal Justice
PIon to Come Up in
Four-Doy Session

Legislative proposals for improv-
ing the administration Of criminal
Justice and otherwise strengthening
Federal Court procedure were under
consideration today as the Judicial
Conference Of Senior Circuit Judges
opened four day session at the
Supreme Court. The meeting, an
annual event, brings together the
ranking justice Of the 10 Federal
circuits and the Court of Appeals of
the District of Columbia, with the
Chief Justice of the United States
presiding. Chief Justice D. Law
renee Groner Of the Court Of Appeals
is the local member Of the confer
ence.
In addition to considering legisla-
tive recommendations on court mat
ters to be sent to Congress, the con-
ference also decides on the budget
for the Federal judicial system for
the next fiscal year, and reviews the
condition Of the dockets in both the
Appellate and District Courts to de-
termine where congestion is in evi-
dence or threatened, so judges may
be shifted and thereby prevent delay
In disposing Of litigation. In this
last connection, the conference will
have the advantage of q compre-
hensive report on the status of court
dockets by Henry P. Chandler, di-
rector of the Administrative Once
OF the Courts.
Other Proposals Up.
The proposal for improving ad-
ministration Of criminal justice was
one of four major items being
studied by the conference with a
view to possible administrative or
legislative action. Civil service for
the personnel of court clerks Of
hces, improved standards for proba-
ton officers and changes in the
operations of United States commits
sioners' Offices were others.
The criminal justice plan, which
was drafted by a committee OF cir
cult and district judges headed by
Justice John j. Parker OF the fourth
circuit, Charlottes, N. c.. was made
public some time ago. It provides
for new sentencing procedure and a
board Of corrections which would be
appointed by the Attorney General,
and absorb the duties of the present
Parole Board, while at the same time
exercising much wider authority.
All sentences Of more than a year
would be for the maximum term
provided for the offense. The board
then would make a study OF each
prisoner, with particular reference
to his reaction to punishment, and
recommend to the. sentencing court
what it was believed the sentence
should be. The court would be free
to accept or reject this finding.
For Nation Wide System.
The committee, OF which District
Judge Bolitha j. Laws was a men,
ber, pointed out that one advantage
of this plan would be the fact that
the board recommending the SEN
tence would be the same that ulti-
mately would have responsibility for
the prisoner when paroled.
Definite policies in punishment
can be carried out on Nationwide
scale and shocking disparities In /
sentences can be avoided" the COM
mittee said.
A minimum parole period Of two
years in all cases, even If prisoners
are not released until their full SEN
tence has been served; prison farms
for short-term offenders, and i'm
proved correctional treatment for |
youthful offenders-under 24-are
also contemplated in the projected
legislation. The Board of Correction
members would serve six-year stag
gered terms, and the salary would
be $4,000, with the chairman receiv-
ing $4,000.
A committee headed by Justice
Calvert Magruder OF the first cir
cult, Boston, recommended that the
personnel of clerks Offices be given
civil service status, declaring it would
make for security of tenure and tend
to promote uniform standards.
Plan Meets Opposition.
Justice Kimbrough Stone of the
eighth circuit, Kansas City, and two
associates opposed civil service,
IT am not able to discern any
serious defect in the present system
nor any distinct improvement in the
proposed change" Justice Stone
said.
Justice Stone headed a group
which recommended that the re-
quirements for. probation officers
appointed by the courts-be tight
ened. College education and expe-
rience in personnel or welfare work
were suggested as requisites.
A report from the administrative
office recommended that the COM
pensation of commissioners be
changed from fee to a salary basis
"as soon and as far as practicable. :"
It was suggested, however, that a
committee might study the whole
subject of the operation Of this
branch to formulate recommended
tions.
The Federal Bar Association will
give a dinner for the conference at
the Mayhower Hotel tonight.
Failure 10 Pick Up Scrap
Irks Chevy Chase Area