The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-12-13

Favorable support was given this
morning to the proposal calling for
four year instead of two year
term for municipal court judges at
the Public Hearing conducted at the
State Capitol, Hartford, by the state
judiciary commission.
Proponents of the action likewise
went on record as in favor of ap-
pointment of municipal court judges
by the governor Also recon-
mended was the proposal to remove
civil jurisdiction from the scope Of
municipal courts.
This mornings session which cen
tered mainly around discussion OF
the Danbury Traffic court an the
proposal of the commission that It's
present set-up be abandoned for .
more favorable and economical syS-
tenn, was reported at noon today to
be behind in its tentatively planned
schedule.
Relative to the Danbury Traffic
court much formal support was CIV
ell to the dissolution proposal and
various legal and civic leaders from
about the state appeared for the
purpose of placing their agreement
on record. Pointing out that costs of
conducting the court yearly average
between $4,000 and $4,000 while
fees received by the court nowhere
compare with the figure those favor
able to a change went on record call
ing for the establishment of a cir
cult traffic court and the complete
segregation of traffic cases from
criminal cases.
This latter suggestion was pre-
sented by Grant Nickerson of New
Haven, chairman of the Junior Bar
Assn members of the American Bar
Assn and which was supported by
others present at this mornings ses-
sion, called for the establishment of
state traffic court which would
handle only matters pertinent to
traffic issues.
This afternoons session, con-
Quoted from to p. M, will con-
slider the following issues: Is the
juvenile court system operating sat-
isfactorily? Should probate courts In
Connecticut be reorganized?; q gen.
eral discussion pertinent to measures
concerning the state supreme court,
state superior court, justice court,
Workmen's compensation commits
Sions, unemployment compensation
commission, and other relevant mat
terS.
From reports gathered this morn
ing stiff opposition is expected to be
offered to any proposed changes in
the present set-up Of the Connect
cut probate court system.
Opponents Of reform" relevent to
this issue state that proponents of
a chance conceal Interior motives
wnen tney base their demands III
the interests Of economy. Those
opposing, are quick to point out that
the probate courts of the state are
the only ones of all the courts to
conclude each fiscal year without
operating Geficit, although Wourt
fees and costs are comparable with
other type coutrS.
Claiming that political plum
tree" will be planted if the proposed
system of circuit probate courts is
adopted. opponents of this and like
measures cite the nee dof friendly,
personal knowledge of legators on
the part of probate judges in hand
ling the estates. This would not be
possible, 1t Is pointed out, If judge
strange to particular area was to
handle the cases. Added to this
would be the inconvience in time
and location for the appellants.
This afternoons session relative
to probate courts Is expected to fur
nish detailed opposition In the form
of a composite summation as to just
what the probate Judge has to deal
with In terms of human relations In
the handling of estates. Leading
proponents of retention of the pres
ent system state that they are fear
full of abuses in the form of indif-
ference and GOODNESS will result If
proposed change Is adopted.
Two principal points are only be-
ing suggested by those favoring
change, in the form of establishing
probate courts as state courts with
circuit judges anG consolidating the
present 1l8 probate district of that
there would be no more than 40 or
SO.
Those opposition claim that this
can have but one result, namely an
impersonal, technical approach to
most judiciary findings because OF
the lack of personal knowledge and
acquaintance on the part Of the cir