Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 25.pdf/437

This page needs to be proofread.

412

The Green Bag

The American Judicature Society/ An organization has been incorporated under the laws of Illinois, known as the American Judicature Society, its object being to promote the efficient adminis tration of justice. The headquarters will be in Chicago, where the office and bill-drafting bureau were opened August 1. The society has eleven directors, as follows: Chairman, Harry Olson, Chief Jus tice of the Chicago Municipal Court; Woodbridge N. Ferris, Governor of Michigan; James Parker Hall, dean Chicago University Law School; Her bert Harley, secretary, Chicago; Fred erick Bruce Johnstone, of Runnells, Burry & Johnstone, Chicago; Albert M. Kales, Professor of Law in Northwestern University Law School; Frederic W. Lehmann of St. Louis, former president of the American Bar Association; Nathan William MacChesney of MacChesney & Becker, Chicago; Roscoe Pound, Professor of Law in Harvard Law School; John H. Wigmore, dean North western University Law School; John B. Winslow, Chief Justice of the Wis consin Supreme Court. William E. Higgins of the Univer sity of Kansas Law School, who is director of the drafting bureau, has been granted two years' leave of ab sence that he may visit England and the Continent to study procedure in foreign courts. Three hundred representative law yers from all the states will co-operate with the drafting bureau. "This matter of law reform," says Secretary Harley, "is now the lead ing non-partisan question before the nation. It is certain that before long there will be many attempts on the part of legislatures to improve the conditions. Up to this time a scien tific analysis of the defects and a broad

reconstructive program have been almost wholly lacking. "It is to fill this need that the Ameri can Judicature Society has been formed. We first will make a thorough study of courts and procedure upon a compara tive basis and then project acts looking toward improvement. We aim to pre sent to the country model judicial establishments upon a scientific basis and permitting of the administration of justice in the modern spirit of effi ciency." Personal Mr. Justice John P. Hand of the Supreme Court of Illinois has resigned because of ill health. While his health has improved, he does not feel able to resume work at the October term. A special election will be held to fill the vacancy. Judge William W. Morrow of San Francisco, of the United States Circuit Court of Appeals, observed his seventieth birthday July 15. "For forty-four years, ending at midnight last night," said Judge Morrow, in speaking of his deci sion to remain on the bench though given the privilege of retiring at full salary, "I was compelled to work for a living. Now I shall go on working because I want to."

The Women's Protective League of Denver is said to be behind the move ment for the creation of public senti ment in favor of the recall, under the Colorado law, of Juvenile Judge Ben B. Lindsey. The charge brought in the circulars which advocate the recall of Judge Lindsey, is that the Juvenile Court protects men who prey on small girls. Judge Lindsey has been in the East recuperating from a nervous break