Evening star., 1950-02-09
Virginia Action
IoAdd Judges
In Area Studied
Assembly Committee
Ponders Bills After
Hearing Supporters
By Alex R. Preston
Stor Stoff Correspondent

to relieve overcrowded cour
dockets in Washingtons Metro
politan Area were being studiet
today by joint committee of th'
General Assembly.
Large delegations from Arling
ton, Fairfax and Prince William
Counties and the city of Alex
andria appeared at public hear
ing in the Senate chamber las
night.
The House and Senate Court
of Justice Committees also tool
under advisement testimony of
fered at another hearing which
was almost unanimously in favo
of legislation to permit women tt
serve on juries.
Says Public Is "Disgusted."
The Northern Virginia delega.
ton, however, was primarily in.
terested in bills which would:
Provide an additional judge fol
the 35th Judicial Circuit of Ar
lington, presided over by Judge
Walter T. Mccarthy.
Do the same for the 10Th Cir
cult of Judge Paul E. Brown
made up of Fairfax. Prince Will
liam and Alexandria.
Provide an additional judge fol-
the Alexandria Corporation Court
presided over by Judge William
P. Woolls.
Senator Charles r. Fenwick
patron of one of the measures
said Arlington now has a popula-
ton of about 100000 with only
one court of record.
LAS a result" he said, "a sit
uation has developed that is not
conducive to good administration
of justice. Because of the over
crowded docket there. the public
is becoming disguised and dis
couraged. You cannot have
confidence in the bar under.
mined"
Phillips Presents Pamphlet.
Thomas w. Phillips of Arling.
ton, president of the Virginis
State Bar, presented a pamphle
prepared by his county's Bal
Association showing the needs anc
problems of the three courts il
the Metropolitan Area. His re.
marks, however, were directed
chiefly to the problem in Arling.
ton.
Mr.. Phillips showed that Nor.
folk had five courts of record ano
Richmond had three when those
cities had reached Arlington's
population level. IS =
ChambIiss Backs Proposal.
In reply to question, Mr.
Phillips denied that the assign
ment of relief judges from other
sections of the State would re-
lieve the problem in the area
Senator Andrew w. Clarke oil
Alexandria, Fairfax and Prince
William, a co-sponsor of some o1
the bills, introduced witnesses fol
Fairfax and Alexandria, who
presented similar figures on popu-
lation, building activity and other
data.
Hardie Chambliss, president Of
the Fairfax County Bar Associa.
tion, said his group unanimously
Endorsed the proposition for {
second judge in the 18th Circuit
Gardener Boothe, of Alexandria
said "it is physical impossibility
for the judge of the Corporation
Court to handle all of the case
that come before him" His hom,
city has an increasing crime rat,
which demands more time of tn,
court, Mr.. Boothe said.
On this subject, Commonwealth
Attorney Howard w. Smith, jr.
also of Alexandria, said his cit,
was getting some of the crimina
element from Washington.
All of the judges whose court
would be affected were amons
those who attended the hearing
Among those who attended from
Arlington were William D. Medley
Emory N. Hosmer. Allen c. Adams
president Of the County Bar Asso
citation, Frank L. Ball, Sr. anc
Frank L. Ball, jr.; John Mccarthy
Oren r. Lewis and James II
Simmons.
Among those from Alexandra
were j. Randolph Davis, presiden
of the Bar Association and Jane,
Colasanto.
Among the Fairfax delegation
were Thomas P. Chapman, ir
clerk of the court; Franklin Good
ing, deputy clerk and Common
wealth's Attorney Hugh Marsh
The hearing on the women!
jury bills included discussion of &
new measure introduced only {
few hours earlier. Delegate j. j
Williams of Henrico sponsored {
measure carrying out Gov. Bat.
ties recommendations for volun
tary service by women. Delegate,
George Damn of Arlington ane
ArmiStead Boothe of Alexandra
are co-patrons of this measure.
Already two other House anc
Senate bills have been introduced
none of which carry out Gov
Battles recommendations fo
voluntary" service.
Large delegations. mostly from
women's organizations Throughout
the State, were unanimous in ask.
ing that women be placed on al
equal footing with men.
Among the groups represented
were the State organizations O.
the Business and professional
"nYsS cYH's Tyl,,La