Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-28
PUGH NAMED JUDGE
Appointed by Taft to Police
Court Place.
FAVORED BY WICKERSHAM
Prosecuting Officer Had Backing Of
Many Congressmen.
PRESIDENT LOSES NO TINE
Directs That the Nomination Be
Made Few Minutes After Receiv.
ing Attorney Generals
Recommendation. l
FAVORED BY WICKERSHAM
PRESIDENT LOSES NO TINE

James L. Pugh is to be the next polico
judge Of the District. His nomination
went to the Senate today. 1t was brought
about by the recommendation OF the Dis
trict Commissioners and a number Of SEN
ators and representatives.
President Taft directed that the nomina-
tion be made just after noon today and
few minutes before he entered his auto
mobile to leave for New York. for which
city he took a train at 1890 O'Clock The
ed the President from Attorney General
Wickersham at noon and as the President
wanted to get the long-pending matter OF
his hands he stopped everything else to
order that the nomination go In. Mr..
Wickersham had grown tired Of the whole
question and, when he received the dec
lination Of George p. Hoover concluded
to ask the President to make Mr. Pugh
judge.
Indorsed by Commissioners.
Mr. Pugh's nomination. besides having
the backing Of the District Commission
ers. who were unanimous in their choice,
was urged by Senators Bacon. Clapp,
Money. Elkins. Nelson, Penrose. Bank
head. Johnston, Clark. Bailey and Gal
linger and a number Of representatives
He also was backed by ]. ]. Darlington.
John ]. Hemphill and other members of
the District bar.
The recommendations. backed by the
long service Of Mr.. Pugh as prosecuting
officer in the District branch of the Po-
lice Court, caused the Attorney General
to come to the prompt conclusion that
no better selection could be made. The
police judgeship has been hanging before
the Attorney General for nearly three
months.
The news that Assistant Corporation
Counsel Pugh had been designated by the
President to Succeed Judge kinfball on
the Police Court bench was received with
expressions OF approval by oflfctais OF the
court and members of the bar generally.
The nomination is very gratifying to
me-" said Mr.. Pugh. when asked to make
a comment '.I feel that I have been
endeavor to satisfactorily perform the
trust placed in me-
Mr.. Pugh said he did not care to dis-
cuss the nomination further, as 1t had
been in q way a surprise to him.
Judge Mullowny, the other incumbent
of the bench. seemed particularly gratified
at the selection and paid a glowing tribute
to the new appointee's qualifications
Judge Mullowny Pleased.
The news is very gratifying. indeed"
said Judge Mullowny. 81 have been as
sociated with Mr.. Pugh about this court
for a good many years and have learned
to appreciate him as a man and a lawyer.
l do not know Of any one better qualified
to fill the vacancy. 1t is gratifying 10 me
both officially and personally
A. S. Worthington, well known men-
Der of the local bar. was enthusiastic
when he heard that Mr.. Pugh's name had
been sent to the Senate.
Its a tardy recognition. He should
have had the appointment long ago." said
Mr.. worthington. mo man ever deserved
a promotion better than Mr.. Pugh He is
capable. and absolutely just. and in his
service to the District will not only be a
credit to himself. but to the coInmunitf
generally. 1t is indeed pleasant tidinrs.
Il am glad Mr.. Pugh has been select
ed" said r. A. Sebring. clerk of tbs
court. II have been associated with him
for almost fifteen years. and know his
and eminently satisfactory Judge
Opinion Of Mr.. Harper.
N. C. Harper. first assistant clerk Of
the court, expressed his qualification over
the nomination and was loud in praise Of
the appointee's legal ability
II have been a clerk in this court .
long, long time and have had probably
the best opportunity to see and Judge OF
Mr. Pughs work as prosecutor" he said.
He is an able lawyer. just, and possesses
the ability of delving INTO the merits OF
a complaint with an absolute sureness
that has come from long years OF expert
ence here. To every one who knows the
man and can appreciate hts merit the
news Of his nomination is welcome in
deed"
Aron~ othar. vho snoka IN cor,nIjmsn
tary terms Of the nomination were Assist
ant United States Attorney Ralph Given.
Assistant United States Attorneys Why.
rich and NJ: F; Mansan. T c. Taylor.
Michael O'Brien and w. g. Adkins.
Last September marked the nineteenth
anniversary of Mr.. Pugn's connection
with the Police Court as assistant cor.
poration counsel.
Fine" Says Mr.. Rudolph.
When Commissioner Rudolph was told
of the appointment of Mr.. PuFh he nodded
his head and said:
Fine
Then he said that the appointment would
be entirely satisfactory to the board of
Commissioners.
II have known Mr. Pugh long time,
and l know he is tine right man for the
appointment" said Commissions Ru-
dolph. 1T certainly seems only right that
a man who has been connected with the
Police Court the way James Pugh has
been for long time should be made Judge
when the vacancy occurs. He knows that
court from top to bottom and knows both
sides of the questions that arise there.
Commissioner Rudolph was asked
whether or not the Commissioners had
made the appointment, in the sense that
they had indorsed Mr. Pugh. His reply
was that, in going over the list of cali
didates for the position, the Commissions
ers had indicated their prefe, ice
AS soon as Corporation Counsel Thomas
heard of Mr.. Pughs appointment he ex-
pressed himself as highly pleased. Mr..
Thomas has known Mr.. Pugh for SO hong
that he can refer to him as Jim
Mr.. Thomas Tribute.
Yes" he said. "Jim Pugh is q fine man
for the place. He has been prosecutor
In the Police Court for seventeen or
eighteen years. and there is no better
qualified man in the District that know
of. In the preliminary talks we had on
this subject always had favored him.
What we need there Is q man who.
knows the Districts laws and the Dis,