The San Francisco call., 1910-12-12
White BECOMES
Chief JUSTICE
President Changes Mind About
Hughes and Promotes the
Louisiana Democrat
Vacancies on Bench TO Be Filled
by Wyoming and Georgia
JuriStS

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.-Associate te
Justice Edward Douglas White of
Louisiana, a democrat, will be ap-
pointed chief justice of the supreme
court Of the United States. White is
So years old and was appointed to the
supreme court by Grover Cleveland.
Until' two years ago President Taft
intended 10 appoint Charles E. Hughes.
MS original choice, TO the chief Justice
snip. So many objections have been
made TO Hughes from the bench and
par or the country, and especially from
members OF the supreme court and the
cabinet, that the president tonight at a
long conference with Attorney General
Nlckersham, Secretary Ma gel, Secre-
tary Knox and Secretary Meyer, yielded
TO the suggestion that he appoint Jus
tice White.
TAFT ADMIRES WHITE
The president is known to have the
highest admiration for Justice White.
Ibis leaning 70 Hughes was due in part
10 the fact that the former New York
governor is OF an age that would. bar
ring accidents, assure his continuing to
direct the affairs Of the supreme court
Tor the fun term Of 20 years.
Justice White. it was urged was
nUted by training and natural abil-
lty to direct the affairs OF the su-
preme court. He is regarded as a
progressive. In the Northern Securities
case, however he sided with the mi
nority against the government. Pre-
NiOusly. however, in the income tax
case, he had decided with the minority
IN favor Of the government
President Taft viii send the nomina-
Ilon 10 the senate tomorrow at noon.
NEW JUSTICE NAMED
1t is said the two new associate jus
tices to fill vacancies on the supreme
bench also viii be named tomorrow.
IL was reported tonight, though neither
confirmation nor denial was obtaina BILE
at the White House, that President
TAFT would name as associate justices
Judge Willie Van DeVanter of Chey-
enne, WyO., now a federal judge in the
eighth circuit and Joseph Rucker La
mar OF Georgia, a democrat and q
former justice of the Georgia supreme
court
1t also was reported tonight, like
wise without confirmation. that the new
court Of commerce viii be named by
The president tomorrow, and viii con-
sist Of:
Martin A Knapp Of New York. at
present chairman of the interstate COM
nerce commission; Robert W. Archibald.
at present United States Judge of the
middle district Of Pennsylvania: Will
liam II. Hunt Of Montana, now Judge
~ the court Of customs appeals;
Arthur c. Denison of Michigan, at pres
ent Judge Of the western district of
that state; Julian W. Mack Of Chica go.
now judge Of the appellate circuit
court Of the first Illinois district. Mack
Is a democrat.
To I'll vacancies on the interstate
commerce commission in place of
Knapp and former Senator CockrelI of
Missouri, who retires December 81, it
was reported tonight that the president
would name 3. II. Meyer of Wisconsin
and C. c. McChord of Kentucky.
SO far as Washington could recall to-
night this is the first time that a chief
justice Of a political faith opposite to
that Of the administration has ever
been appointed.
Judge Lamars appointment will
bring the misrepresentation on
the supreme court up to three men,
bers. the others being the new chief
justice and Justice Lurton Of Tennes-
see. The total membership of the
court is nine.