Evening star., 1945-03-07
Justice Laws Urges
Laymen 10 Suggest
Court Improvements

A new system involving close CO.
operation between District citizens
and local court jurists was outlined
last night by Chief Justice Bolitha
J. Laws of District Court, speaking
as chairman of the Committee on
Improvement of Justice of the
American Bar Association, in an ad-
dress before the 35th anniversary
dinner of the Federation of Citizens
Associations at the Statler Hotel.
Justice Laws disclosed that busi-
ness, civic and professional leaders
had been invited to attend a meet
ing tomorrow at which, as laymen,
they will be asked for suggestions
on improving the administration of
justice.
Chief Justice Laws told his audi
ence that one mistake made in the
past when judicial conferences have
been held has been the absence Of
laymen at the meetings.
Central Figure in Drama"
THE layman is the central figure
in a courtroom drama" Justice Laws
declared. His welfare, his very fu-
ture may be at stake" Yet this es-
sential figure has been ignored by
us in the judicial branch of the
Government"
Justice Laws expressed the belief
that constructive criticism, which
will aid operation of the courts here,
might be advanced by the prominent
group of citizens invited to attend
tomorrow's meeting. He declared
that the judiciary branch of our
Government can be made more eff
ficient by the complete sympathy
and cooperation" of the members
of the community.
One of the features of the dinner
last night, which was attended by
more than $50 guests, including
members of Congress and city Off
cials, was the presentation of The
Evening Star Trophy, awarded an
nually to the citizen making the
most notable contribution to the
advance of civic affairs in the Dis
trict. Recipient of this years award
was David Babp, secretary OF the
Federation since 1924.
Lauded for Years of Service.
In presenting the award Benjamin
M. McKelway, associate editor of
The Star, declared Mr.. Babp in his
many years of service has been
outstanding in his loyalty, in his
willingness to serve the interests of
the federation at the cost of his
own time and effort and in the in
dividual leadership he has offered"
In response, Mr.. Babp spoke of the
Federation's long record of service
to the District of Columbia, espe-
cially in the field of public utility
regulation, recalling the pioneer
efforts of such past Federation
leaders as William Mex. Clayton.
Himself, former voting resident
of Pennsylvania who came to Wash
ington as young man, Mr.. Babp
deplored the lack of voting rights
in Washington and called on the
Federation to work effectively in
demanding such rights until they
are granted. Some day, he said,
they will be.
Among guests introduced by VIII
bur S. Finch, Federation president,
were Senator Burton of Ohio, Rep
resentatives Coffee of Washington,
Summers Of Texas and Stefan of
Nebraska, and Commissioners John
Russell Young, Guy Mason and Col.
KutZ.
Entertainment was provided by
"The Hungry Five"-members of the
Metropolitan Police Band-who
offered a program Of songs and
music in a comedy vein. and Wade
Riley of the Metropolitan Police
Department, who presented several
songs. James A. Crooks was general
chairman Of the Dinner Committee,
and P. j. Ableman was program
chairman.