Evening star., 1949-02-17
FWA TO Invite Bids
On Courthouse About
March IS, Bar Told

The Federal Works Administra-
ton will invite construction bids
about March IS for Washington's
new Federal courthouse.
Chief Judge Bolitha J. Laws Of
District Court told a meeting of
the American Bar Associations
Special Committee for Improving
the Administration of Justice here
that bids are expected in the latter
part of April, and the contract
will be let for work to begin imme-
diately. ..
1t is estimated the long sought
s14, 100000 structure. to be built
or Constitution avenue between
Third street and John Marshall
place NV. will require about two
and a half years to complete.
Judge Laws pointed out the
building, representing the latest in
courthouse designing, viii elimi-
nate a long list of undesirable sit
uations occasioned by the present
scattered and inadequate facilities.
Lounge for Jurors.
Jurors who now must wander
around the halls of District Court
while awaiting service will find a
large lounge for their convenience.
a. feet wide and 10 feet, long. In
addition, there will be several
rooms in which jurors can keep up
with their work. comforting with
business associates or debating to
their secretaries. For jurieS delib-
.erating overnight. there will be
private sleeping quarters which
will accommodate two full Jurles.
Another feature Judge Laws de-
scribed with enthusiasm is the
provision of parking facilities in
the building for jurors. m
A central message room will
facilitate the sending and receiv-
ing of messages by persons tempo
rarily engaged at court.
; In planning 20 District court
rooms and a Court of Appeals
courtroom. Judge Laws said I'VE
have provided. we hope, for 100
years" of adequate courthouse
space. The present 12-judge Dis
trict Court could be expanded to
accommodate 19 judges comfor-
tably in the new. building. The
goth courtroom, which will be
large enough to seat all the judges
at once, is expected to be used for
ceremonial occasions or large
trials.
Architect Displays Plans.
Architect Louis Justement dis
played floor plans and an exterior
perspective of the new building.
Judge Laws announced that
Benjamin M. McKelway, editor of
The Star, was relinquishing the
craftsmanship of the laymens
group of the special committee
after two years service, and that
Dean Elmer Louis Kayser Of
George Washington University
will succeed him.
Hailing the type of co-opera-
ton between the bench, bar and
laymn fostaredsbyHhe commis
tees program, Mr.. McKelway de-
elared. II don't think any one who
has had the opportunity to get a
taste of the sort of co-operatim
that is embodied in this program
can fail to realize the great posi-
bilities inherent in it,
Judge Laws reported consider
a6le progress had been made Tin
spreading nationally the move
nent pioneered in the District.
Sees Group in Each State.
IT think in the course of not
too long a time. we're going to
have set up in each State lay
group advising with lawyers and
judges on affairs of justice" he
said.
In setting up objectives for the
coming year, Judge Laws pro-
posed two new subcommitteeS be
added to the present ones. Ap-
proved by the members. one will
study more efficient handling of
domestic relations cases and the
other, the rehabilitation and pa
dole of persons convicted of crimes.
Problem on Paroles.
, AS to the other matter, he said
there is a problem with regard
10 both probation and parole in
getting employment for released
prisoners, and in providing for
their supervision.
Some very good prospects
can't get out from time to time,