Speech #630021556

In the first place. I think the attention of the committee should be called to the fact that the business transacted by the Federal courts in the southern district of California during late years has not only Increased tremendously In volume. but that in no other district in the United States is there any more. if as many. varieties or kinds of Federal causes brought to the attention of the courts. To commence with. we have at our very doors the Pacific Ocean. with several harbors of prominence. and by reason thereof there arises therefrom the numerous questions relating to interstate and international commerce and immigration. In the next place this district is bounded on the south by the international boundary line between Mexico and the United States. This. as you undoubtedly know. gives rise to numerous and Important questions Involving international commerce. the customs and immigration laws. and also many violations of the neutrality laws existing between this country and Mexico. these lastmentioned cases. as you know. having occupied a considerable portion of the time of this oAce and the local courts for the past three years. In addition to the above. and by reason of the fact that Mexico adjoins this district on the south. the district court of this district has in the past been compelled to devote a great deal of its time and attention to extradition cases. Experience has shown that this is a convenient and safe asylum for fugitives from the justice of Mexico.