The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-03
NAGOON'S CAREER
LIKE A ROMANCE
Doors of Opportunity Open
Everywhere.
PARTNERS LkC0NIC WORDS
His Service to Government at Critical
Times Paves the Way to
Good Fortune.
LkCONlC WORDS
.Don't b a - fooli'

Don De 4 ID lOol-
Plain English-especially when sent
in a dispatch without explanatory notes.
StM Judge Charles T. Magoon did not
heed It, and his failure TO DO 50 is re-
sponsible for his selection last week as
counsel general for the Panama Canal
Commission
In 1899 Judge Magoon was practicing
law in Lincoln. Neb.. where has was as
sociated with c. .. Whedon. one Of the
most prominent attorneys in William
Jennings Bryan's state Legal business
brought Judge Magoon 10 Washington
and after he had finished his work here
he went TO the War Department to
call on his friend George D. Meiklejohn.
who was then Assistant Secretary Of
War
Mr. Meiklejohn was over his head in
business which had been thrust upon the
department by the new insular posses
sions A small division Of the War
= Department. called the Insular Division.
was endeavoring TO handle the work
which Is now under the direction Of the
Bureau of Insular Affairs. The Assls-
tant Secretary Of War was trying TO
find time TO draw up a very important
contract and Judge Magoon offered 10
assist him In drawing the document
Judge Magoon discovered some I'M
portaat legal points which INTERESTED
Mr. Melklcjohn and were brought 10 the
attention of other men high in ADMIN
istration circles.
Made Law Officer.
The result OF the discoveries was that
Judge Magoon was offered position
as law officer to care for the great
mass Of legal business which was arls-
ing INF connection with the new pos
sessions. Judge AIagoon had no thought
Of STAYING in Washington and laughed
81 me offer. Mr. Meiklejohn insisted
and emphasized the great opportunities
an attorney would have in the new
position to deal with questions OF IN
ternatlonal importance and questions
upon which no tribunal had ever
passed.
Finally Judge Magoon gave the offer
serious consideration, and after think
ing over a day or wired 10 Mr.
Ayhedon. with whom he was associated
a. practice. explaining the offer and
asking what he should do.
Don't be id fool, was the laconie
reply
Judge Magoon had made up his mind
before the answer came. however, and
accepted the place In spite Of the fact
that his associate regarded the action
as foolish
Finds Large Opportunity
In the new position Judge Magoon
found the opportunity for original work
which attracted the attention OF al
administration officials who had oc-
casIon 10 come into touch with the in
sular work Of the War Department.
Of Nebraska. Judge Alagoon developed
into an attorney whose work was in
terEational in character lie was called
uRon Tor opinions in cases involving mil
lions Of dollars ia duties and Ringing
upon fine points Of International law
When the insular division Of the War
Department came 10 be such a lusty
child that Il cried FOR added dignity
Judge Magoon was made law officer OF
the Bureau OF Insular Affairs the new
bureau TO which Congress intrusted thS
work Of the former division.
Advice on Canal Matters.
Secretary Root ard the President de
pended largely upon Judge MagoOn il
deciding questions involving the new
possessions and Secretary Taft has alsC
consulted Judge Magcon frequently
since he became the head OF the WA
Department. His knowledge of hnancia
matters in the Philippines caused hin
10 be consulted when the Isthmian Ca
mai Commission and Secretary TAT
were considering the financial policy Of
the canal strip And whln the Presi
dent found the Administration Ia nee,
CT . general consul 10 advise the cana
commission he selected Judge Magoon
upoa tie advice OF Cabinet officers ant
cInor men high in Administration cir
cIes who knew Of the nasterful mannel
IN which he handled all questions in
voiving cuba. Porto Rico and the Phil
ippineg.
Judge Magoon is a native CT Alinles3
n, where he was born forty-four rear
ago. lie went 10 Nebraska in 1876. ant
attended the Nebraska State Universit
for three years. Then he began III
Etady OF Law H. the Office OF Mason (
Nhldon, and after admission 10 the ba
practiced Ia Lincoln until he accepte
the position with the War Department
81 1893
Next month Judge Magoon viii 90 l.
Panama. where he viii confer wit
General Davis. governor Of the Ameri
can zone for few weeks.