Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-28
Harry Clabaugh May Succeed Judge
Louis McComas.
SOME POSSIBLE VACANCIES
Judges Who Are Already Eligible
for Retirement.
SOME OF THE GOSSIP

Members of the local bar of late are
manifesting increased interest in the posi-
b1lity of several vacancies as regards the
bench of the Supreme Court of the District
of Columbia. 1t is known, of course that
Judge Louis E. McComas will retire in the
course of a few months to enter the Senate
of the United States, having been elected
thereto from the state of Maryland. Three
other possibilities exist. Each of these has
reached the age for voluntary retirement
and as well as having served on the bench
at least ten years. They are Chief Justice
E. F. Bingham, Judge Walter S. Cox and
Judge A B. Hagner
Judge McComas will remain on the bench
until the LIST of next March his resgna-
ton taking effect with the close OF business
the last day of February. His term as
United States senator will begin at noon
March 1. Judge McComas who is now pre-
siding in Circuit Court No. >. is to hold
that assignment until the Christmas holi-
days. He will ask that for the last two
months of his service on the bench Janu-
airy and February, ne be relieved of Circuit
court business and assigned to equity
WORK He is, for other reasons. clearly en-
titled to this, not having had an equity as
sl2nment during his term of six years as a
member of the bench Of the Supreme Court
of the District of Columbia
I
the Equity Court wholly in the interest Of
iuSanls For instance, should he preside
In the Circuit Court Immediately prior to
ms retirement, a case might be unexpected
~ prolonged, and II would not be just for
MIN TO sever his connection with the court
prior to the conclusion of the hearing Or
a trial might be ended and the time for his
ieaVe-taking occur before the expiration of
the time limit for the filing of motions for
new trial and other motions Judge Nc
Comas, in all probability will sit in Faulty
court No. 1 during the first two months of
Inc new year, Judge Cox taking his place
In circuit Court No. l for the time being
Among those in a position To know in Is
regarded as a certainty that the successor
of Judge McComas in the District Supreme
Court Will not be a District man. The gen.
cru OPINION seems to be that the new
Judge, like Judge NcComas, will come from
Maryland. Naturally, the appointment OF
a Marylandar to succeed him would be
pleasing to Judge McComas
1t was regarded as a certainty at the CITY
Hall today that the new judge will be Har-
ny =. Ciapaugh, al present attorney gem
eral OF the state of Maryland. No other
names are mentioned in connection with
the approaching vacancy. Prominent MEM
pers OF the bar with whom Star reporter
ccnVarsed say they have not the slightest
doubt that Clabaugh will be the man TO
succeed Judge McComas. Indeed the mat
ter seems to have been definitely deter
mined, the belief being that the President
AitiS eduy utClltu 10 make the appoint
ment. which it IS understood would meet
the approval of Judge McCo;nas. OF course
the announcement of the appointment will
not be mad until after the resignation of
Judge McComas goes into effect Not MANY
hours thereafter, however, so the impress
sion is, will elapse before the new judge is
named
AS to thu possible retirements of Chief
Justice Bingham, Judge Cox and Judge
Hagner, nothing can be stated other than
conjecture. When the matter was preached
TO Judge Cox few days ago, it is stated,
he seemed to BE- greatly amused a the sug-
geStfon of his leaving the bench. The three
judges named are in excellent health, and
the indications are that they will not step
down and out for several months at least
IN this connection, though, it was declared
today by an official who has every means
of knowing that both Chief Justice Bling
ham and Judge Cox will be off the bench
when the usual time is at hand for thu
courts to take the summer recess. Judge
Hagner SO far can be learned. has I'd
intention of retiring for some time TO come
The three judges named may retire Just
as soon as they say the word. Their salary
after retirement would be the same as at
present.