New-York tribune., 1910-08-12
NEW PLACE FOR MR. KNAPP
His Appointment to Commerce
Court Expected.
MAY BE PRESIDING JUDGE
Two Vacancies IN Interstate
Commerce Commission Prob
able-Cockrell to Retire.
fFron The Tribune Bureau.


Washington. AUG. HIT IS probable that
Martin A Knapp chairman Of the Inter
state commerce Commission, viii he ap-
,oointe6 a member Of the new Commerce
court II is known that President Iaf'
has 1lr. knapp under consideration for TINS
inaport2nt judicial appointment. ana II Is
believed here that ne Will accept the place
81 il is rendered to him The appointment
of Judge Knapp 20 membership IN the ne"
colIr; viii make two vacancies next win'ef
IN the Interstate Commerce commission.
The term Of Commissioner Francis M
CackreH VIII expire on December 81, 1910
He Is not slated for reappointment-
President Taft is anxious 10 have the new
court composed Of strong and high class
7-4an The plan of a commerce court was
initiated bv the President and it was his
firm fnsistence that forced somewhat
reluctant Congress 10 provide for the es-
tablishment Of such a court. In his special
message on interstate commerce problems
aIr Taft saiG he regarded il as Of supreme
importance That all questions arising under
7fe orders Of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission should he speedily settled and that
there shouid he uniformity OF decisions 50
as 10 bring about an effective. systematic
and scientific enforcement of the interstate
commerce Law. The commerce court sec
Ion OF the law was regarded as sort
of pet provision Of the administration. and
the President feels a personal as well as
an official interest in the selection Of the
Judges who are to start the court i'm what
he believes viii prove highly useful woTA
both TO the public and the railroads.
There is no lack Of candidates for places
IN the new court. among the applicants
being several men Who hold high places
ba Ia aer7rS aF
systems 1t is understood that the Presi-
dent VIII send the nominations OF the
Judges to the Senate early in December.
II Judge Knapp is willing TO accept an
appointment 20 ihe new court 1t is proba-
lle tat ne will he designated for the five
year period. which Will carry with il the
title Of presiding Judge Judge Knapp is
now in New York to confer with J. p.
Nabee chairman Of the Canadian commit
tee on ways and means To maintain joint
control Of traffic between the United States
and the Dominion.
Probably no man in the United States has
q more comprehensive knowledge of trans
portation problems than Judge Knapp, In
point Of service he is the oldest member
of the interstate Commerce Commission.
lie was first appointed in 1891. and reap
pointed in 1897 1902 and 1875 His present
term VIII expire on December 81. 1915. Since
1873 he has been chairman of the commits
sion
Il Is generally believed here that
younger man VIII be appointed on the com
mission when Mr.. CockrelTs term expires.
in December. The new law has imposed
4 great burden Of work on the commission.
ami on account Of his advanced years Mr..
Cockren is hardly equal to the task It
Is necessary Tor members Of the commits
sion 10 devote considera bic time TO travel,
and active men are needed When Mr..
CockreH Te1ires he viii round out career
II more than thir1v-ye years Of continu-
Gus service 'Inder The government. He was1
member Of the Senate from Missouri for
five terms. and when thai State was carried
Icy The Republicans President Roosevelt
appointed him "A member. Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission to succeed J. D. !
Yeonans. resigned. Nj Cockrell will be
seTen1 y-sl4-AesTS old IN October