Transcript of a public hearing held by the Commission on Structural Alternatives for the Federal Courts of Appeals held April 3, 1998 in Chicago, Illinois. This hearing includes testimony from judges, attorneys, and officials of the Ninth and Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on the possible restructuring of the Ninth Circuit Court. It also includes testimony from William Richman, a Professor of Law, and Peter Jon Simpson on behalf of the Christian Legal Education Association.

Interview with Howard Charles, a Marine WWII veteran and POW from Partridge, Kansas. Charles discusses growing up in the Great Depression; joining the Marine Corps and training; assignment to the USS Houston (CA-30) at Manila as a heavy machine gunner and events before the war; the Battle of Sunda Strait and sinking of the Houston; capture by the Japanese and being held at Serang, Java; experiences in internment and forced labor at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, various camps along the Burma Railway, and Saigon; liberation; psychological treatment, trauma, and adjusting to civilian life. In appendix is a letter written by Charles to Marcello including additional information for the interview.