The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-10

Beverly, Sept 9.-President Taft was
deeply grieved at the death Of Solicitor
General Lloyd Bowers, who was one Of
his closest friends. The President issued
a statement in which ne says it was his
intention to have appointed Mr.. Bowers
to the Supreme Court II the opportunity
had presented itself Here is Mr.. Tafts
statement:
Il am greatly distressed at the death
OF Mr.. Bowers. the Solicitor General He
an5 were close and intimate friends
and l prlded myself greatly on securing
his services in this administration at
great personal sacrifice to himself. His
record in tie Solicitor Generals office
Is one that has rarely, IL ever. been
equaled
"He was one Of the first half dozen
lawyers Of the highest ability in this
country. 1t was my purpose TO have ap-
pointed him a justice OF the Supreme
Court If opportunity had offered. His
death is a great personal bereavement 70
me and is a loss TO the country, which
only those who knew his ability, his
character. his wonderful power Of appli-
cation. and his broad and generous mind
can appreciate"
Appointment Not Imminent.
The Presidents reference to Mr.. Bow
ers' prospective appointment TO the bench
III opportunity had offered" shows that
Mr.. Bowers was not slated for the va
cancy existing now or for that which will
be created by the withdrawal OF Justice
Moody. The statement indicates that the
President regarded Mr. Bowers partici-
patton in the important cases which are
to be reargued next fall as making him
ineligible for appointment at this time
In speaking further OF Mr.. Bowers
death, the President declared that IN his
opinion MT Bowers presentation OF the
corporation tax cases before the Supreme
Court last spring was one of the most
able Of which that court had any record
The President quoted Justice White as
having said that Mr. Bowers was equal
in his knowledge Of the law TO any jus
tice on the Supreme Court bench.
President Taft sent Capt Bait in TO
Boston with a letter Of coincidence for
Mrs. Bowers as soon as he heard OF the
Solicitor Generals death. II is not likely
that Mr.. Taft will be able 20 attend the
funeral
Had Corporation Tax Cases.
The death Of Mr. Bowers will embar-
rass the government in the prosecution Of
at least one Of the big cases that are 10
be reargued in the coming term Of the
Supreme Court. Mr.. Bowers had COM
plete charge OF the government side of
the corporation tax cases, having person
ally prepared the brief and presented the
arguments Of the court He had been
Attorney General WIckersham's close ad-
wiser also IN the Standard Oil and to-
appeared actively in connection with
either Of these suits.
Mr.. Bowers successor will have the
benefit Of the record Of his labor In con-
nection with the corporation tax case.
but he viii have a difficult task in trying
10 approach the presentation Of the case
made by the Solicitor General In the first
argument.
Attorney General Wickersham will come
to Beverly within day OF two and the
question Of Mr.. Bowers successor VIII be
taken up. The President had no canGi-
date in mind. AS indicating the close
personal friendship between the President
and his Solicitor General. Mr.. Taft said
to-day that Mr.. Bowers appointment to
the bench was one Of the three personal
appointments that he had promised him
House. The other two were the appoint
ment of Judge Lurton 10 the Supreme
Court and of Judge HOLSTER to the en-
cult bench The last two appointments
the President already has made.