APPENDIX III.

REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE APPOINTED UNDER RESOLUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATION PASSED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IN JUNE, 1904, TO PROMOTE LEGISLATION FOR AN OFFICIAL INQUIRY UPON METHODS OF IMPROVING THE JUDICATURE.

The special committee appointed under the resolutions adopted by the association at the June meeting, Nineteen hundred and four, respecting the improvement of the judicial system, submit this report - That they prepared a bill providing for the appointment by the governor of a commission of five persons, whose duty it should be to make inquiry, and report to the governor and legislature upon the subject covered by the resolutions. This bill passed the legislature and the governor promptly, after approving it, appointed the commission. The act was approved March 31st. The commission consists of Hon. Bennet Van Syckel, Hon. John W. Griggs, Hon. Franklyn Murphy, Mr. Charles L. Corbin and Mr. John R. Hardin.

The act, as passed, provides that the commission shall investigate and report upon the following points:

(a) How the system of courts can, by constitutional amendment and by legislation, be better adjusted to the demands of judicial business.

(b) What changes in the judicial system can be made, with advantage, in order to prevent the use of two or more legal proceedings to settle controversies that can be conveniently settled in one; and in order to minimize delays due to litigation or objections upon points of procedure not involving the substantive rights of the parties.

(c) In what other respects the system of procedure can be made more simple and certain.

(d) Whether like defects in similar judicial systems have been successfully remedied by other States and peoples; and if so, by what means.

The commission has organized and begun its work.

Dated June 12th. 1905.

CHARLES H. HARTSHORNE,

J. E. HOWELL,

CRAIG A. MARSH,

J. O. H. PITNEY,

C. L. COLE.

Note: The act is Chap. 88, Laws of 1905.

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