Existing comment:
1930-1953: The Hughes, Stone, and Vinson Courts
Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes, 1930-1941, appointed by Hoover
Chief Justice Harlan F. Stone, 1941-1946, appointed by F. Roosevelt
Chief Justice Fred M. Vinson, 1946-1953, appointed by Truman
Extra-Judicial Activities:
As Americans rallied to support the US in World War II, several Justices took on special assignments.
Justice Owen J. Roberts conducted a government inquiry into the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Justice Robert H. Jackson was appointed to prosecute Nazi war criminals in the Nuremberg war trials.
The New Supreme Court Building By the Neighbors:
1935 -- The Supreme Court Building opens
455,000 -- Cubic feet of marble used to construct the building
35 -- Officers on the new Supreme Court Police force
9 -- Chambers for the Justices, who previously worked from home
93,532 -- Dollars returned to the government after construction
Popular in the Press:
The Justices continued to be popular public figures and the Court was a regular feature in the press. Chief Justice Hughes, known for his bushy moustache and beard, came to represent the Court in cartoons and caricatures. Many of the Justices used their popularity to make a difference during World War II, leading bond drives and radio broadcasts to benefit charities.
Fifteen Justices?
Conflict arose between the Executive and the Judiciary in the 1930s over President Franklin D. Roosevelt's sweeping New Deal policies. Frustrated with the Court for ruling parts of his legislation unconstitutional, Roosevelt proposed to increase the number of Justices, saying it would help with their heavy workload. The plan was seen as an attempt to "pack" the Court with members who would vote for the President's policies and it failed in Congress.
Courting a Judicial Job:
By the 1930s, the practice of Justices hiring law clerks had become institutionalized. These law school graduates aid the Justices in research and opinion writing. Today, most law clerks serve in clerkships for lower court judges before beginning a one-year term at the Supreme Court.
Working at the Court served as a valuable learning experience for several future Justices. Byron R. White, William H. Rehnquist, and John Paul Stevens served as law clerks in the 1940-50s.
1931: Empire State Building opens
1932: Scottsboro Boys case
1933: New Deal legislation begins
1935: Social Security Act
1935: Supreme Court Building opens
1937: FDR's Court Packing Plan
1939: The Wizard of Oz opens in theaters
1941: Attack on Pearl Harbor
1941: US enters World War II
1942: Nazi Saboteur case
1944: Korematsu v. US
1945: United States formed
1948: Truman integrates military
1950: US troops sent to South Korea
1952: Steel Seizure case
1953: DNA double helix structure discovered |