The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-06-02
JONES NAMES BIRCH
At EARLY CALLING
OF FEDERAL COURT
Directs Clerk to Refer Odd
Numbered Cases to the
New Apprentice
HUNDLtY DECLINES To
DISCUSS COURTS ACTION
1t Is Understood, However, That He
Will Take Such Action Tomor-
row as Will Insure
SteeIe's Position.

Judge Thomas G. Jones of Montgomery
opened Federal court here yesterday
morning, and appointed Alex c. Birch
referee in bankruptcy in the Northern
district of Alabama The unusual scene
was presented of a session of the Federal
court being held before s o'clock in the
morning.
Shortly after I o'clock, Judge Jones
ana his secretary, E. L. May, accom-
panied by Maj. C. j. Allison, clerk of the
court, entered the building. and held A.
session just long enough for the appoint
ment. Judge Jones instructed the clerk TO
turn over the odd numbered bankruptcy
cases to Birch, leaving the even numbers
for N. L. Steele, who is Judge Handley's
appointee.
Immediately afterward the Judge and
his secretary left for Montgomery on the
$3.50 a. M Louisville and Nashville train.
lie declared that the early session was
held so that he could return to the trial
of very important case. Mr.. Birch made
his $1,000 bond, and will report this morn
ing for business.
While Judge Hundley who is in Ami
ston. declines to discuss the matter. 1t ia
| positively known here that Judge Humid
ley VIII see that N. L. Steele gets the
tull quota of bankruptcy cases. either by
ordering the erasure of Judge Jones or
der from the clerks books, as he did last
November, or by some other legal pro-
cedure
| 1t is said to have been the intention of
Judge Jones to make his appointment
before Judge Hundley received his re-
appointment. He had to change his plans
on receipt of the news that the appoint
ment was made Saturday night.
On the return of Judge Hundley to-
morrow great interest will be taken in
his action. Since Judge Jones declares
that he should have hand in the ap-
pointments of this district he may go to
further measures and the discussion may
go higher.
The view of this difficulty, as seen by
a close friend of Oscar R. Hundley, is
| given in these words:
Judge Hundley had been fully an
prised that this effort would be made by
Judge Jones several weeks ago, and has
discussed with friends in Washington
! high In authority the proposed coup
detat, and it seems the scheme failed 10
work as arranged, for Judge Hundley
was reappointed by the President i'm
mediately upon adjournment of Congress
! and forthwith took the oath of office
under his new appointment and proceed
ed with the discharge of his official du-
ties without interruption.
Judge Hundley was apprised of his
appointment by a telegram from the at
torney general, received by him at An
niston, which was as follows: The Presi-
dent has signed your recess commission
! as United States district judge. Qualify,
| Signed, Bonaparte, Attorney General
ION receipt of this telegram Judge
| Hundley proceeded to qualify in due form
before Honorable E. p. Greenleaf. United
States commissioner
Judge Hundley, as has been said. is
holding term of his court at Admission.
and upon conclusion of this term will
return and take up his duties in Brming-
| ham.
Save to advise his friends that he has
been duly appointed and qualified as
| judge, he has not minated directly or
indirectly what his course will be in
this natter