Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-12
D. ". BAKER CHOSEN
Named to Succeed District
Attorney Beach.
ANNOUNCED TODAY
FRIENDS OF THE ATTORNEY
PLEASED WITH SELECTION.
Receives Numerous Congratulations
From Members Of the Local
Bar-His Career.

President Roosevelt today appointed D.
w. Baker of this city as United States at
torney for the District of Columbia to sue
coed Morgan H. Beach. who will retire
from the Office August 81. The announce
ment was made at the Department of JUS
tice.
The Presidents selection was no surprise
to the department, and did not create great
surprise among those cognizant of the
strong backing Mr.. Baker had for the po-
sition. 1t has been realized from the be-
ginning that his appointment was more
probable than that of any other man men
toned for the place.
A week or more before the official state
ment that Mr. Beach would retire friends
of Mr.. Baker got into direct communication
with President Roosevelt and urged the Sc
lection of the latter should a change be
made in the office. Both the President and
Attorney General Moody regard Mr.. Baker
as especially well fitted for the office and
hold most favorable opinions of him
man and lawyer.
The appointment of Mr.. Baker as Mr..
BeachS successor was urged by many
in glowing terms by members of the bench.
not only those on the active but also on
the retired list.
The Star in its issue of Sunday morning.
June .. in announcing that Mr. Beach
was about to tender his resignation, which
he did the following day. predicted that
Mr.. Baker would receive the appointment
as Mr. Beach's successor.
Congratulated by Mr.. Beach.
AS soon as he heard of the selection of
Mr.. Baker as his successor United States
Attorney Beach dispatched a note to the
former expressing his congratulations and
wishing Mr.. Baker a most agreeable and
successful career in the office.
To Star reporter United States Attor-
ney Beach said:
II took the first opportunity upon hear
Ing the news of the appointment of Mr..
Baker as my successor to send him per-
sonal note of congratula tion Mr.. Baker is
a man of experience, efficiency and the
highest legal attainments, and l am sure
he will have excellent administration in
the Office. 1 assured Mr.. Baker that the
condition of the Office is such that he can
take fresh start when he comes in Sep
TENDER l."
Local Courts in Recess.
The local courts now being IN recess the
announcement that Mr. d. w. Baker had
been selected by the President for appoint
ment as United States attorney for the Dis
trict of Columbia, to succeed United States
Attorney Beach. was easily the chief topic
of news interest today at the city hall and
in the neighborhood of the local court
house. The news spread rapidly and while
the friends of the other recognized candi-
dates for the appointment regretted that
their respective selections had lost in the
race. all had kind words to say of Mr..
Baker.
Justice Anderson Is the only member of
the SCpre ne Court OF the District of CO.
lumbia at present In this city. Speaking Of
the appointment Justice Anderson this aft
ernoon said:
II regard the appointment of Mr.. Baker
most excellent one. He Is an able and an
experienced lawyer. and in my judgment
will fill the position of United States attor-
ney for the District of Columbia with en-
tire satisfaction to the government and with
credit to himself By reason of his long
experience as assistant United States dis
trict attorney he is by no means stranger
to the duties of the Office to which he has
just been appointed. which fact will enable
him to enter upon his work and to prose-
cute 1t intelligently from the start"
Expressions Of Opinion.
Mr. Wilton ]. Lambert. Mr.. Bakers law
partner. said: Naturally no selection
could have been made that would have
caused me more personal qualification. Mr..
Baker is splendidly equipped man and
Ia wyer from every standpoint and the gov
ernment Is fortunate in secuIing his serv-
ices Mr. Baker and I went through the
together. and. since 1859. we have been
closely associated in business so feel thai
/ can speak with personal knowledge re-
earding his sterling qualities Mr.. Baker
will make a most successful and impartial
United States attorney
Mr. Arthur A. Birney. formerly United
States attorney for the District of Column
bia. said: Mr. Baker Is very capable
lawyer. He is Industrious and painstak-
ing. and ought to make good United
States Attorney
Mr.. r. d. Dutton, deputy recorder of
deeds for the District of Columbia, said:
Mr.. Bakers experience in the United States
attorneys office. his familiarity with the
law, together with his well-known energy
make him an unusually weil-equippt.d man
for the position
Mr.. Henry w. Hodges. clerk of the Court
of Appeals of the District of Columbia,
said: II have known Mr.. Baker. as a law
yer and as a friend. for twelve years. 1 do
not know anybody who is better qualified
than Is Mr.. Baker to fill the office of Ijnited