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Show ' AUTO VM COURT 1 PUNCHES TERM r WASHINGTON, Oct 2 UPV Confronted by a number of lmpor-' lmpor-' tant legal controversies, the supreme su-preme court Justices met today to 1 open their new 1939-40 term be-I be-I fore going to the White House to pay their respects to President Roosevelt. Not since 193S had the Jurists included a White House visit in the opening day formalities. The omissions were due to President Roosevelt's absence from the . capital. Justice Pierce Butler, ill In a hospital, was the only one of the nine Justices missing as members of the couct, clad In traditional black robes, marched solemnly Into the chamber while the crier Intoned In-toned the customery "Oyei, Oyer, Oyes," Solicitor General Robert H. Jackson headed the list of government govern-ment counsel present. Attorney General Murphy was absent because be-cause of a cold. Adjourns Until Monday After admitting a number of attorneys at-torneys to practice and receiving a few motions, the court adjourned ad-journed until next Monday. At that time It will announce whether it will review approximately 300 cases filed during the summer. Awaltlngaction bythe court were the antitrust proceedings against the American Medical association. as-sociation. 12 midwest oil companies compa-nies and a group of milk dealers They were charged with activities activi-ties in restraint of trade, in violation vio-lation of the Sherman act. The government was unsuccessful in lower courts. These were among more than 400 cases that accumulated since the court adjourned for the summer sum-mer on June 5. A number of disputes Involving Interpretation of the national labor la-bor relations act also are pending, but the law Itself has been held constitutional. Wage-Hour Test Looms A test case of the constitutionality constitution-ality of the federal wage-hour act is expected to be filed some time during the eight-month term. All the Justices were reported to be In excellent health except 73-year-old Justice Butler. He has been seriously 111 for several weeks with a bladder ailment There has been speculation that he might retire, but he has given no indication indica-tion that he plans to take this action. Chief Justice Hughes, 77, is described de-scribed as completely recovered from an ulcer which kept him in bed for several weeks last spring. He presided last week over the annual conference here of senior circuit court Judges. Friends of Justice McReynoIds, also 77, report that be plans to continue on the court for this term at least He and Justice Butler But-ler are the two remaining mem I bers described by administration men as "conservative." President Roosevelt has named four of the present nine Justices. |