Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-24

James M. Proctor. chief prosecutor in
the office Of the United States attorney
for the District of Columbia. rendered his
resignation today to United States At
torney Wilson. At the request of Mr..
Wilson he will remain in the office until
October, after which he will engage in
the general practice of the law
Mr.. Wilson accepted the resignation of
his chief assistant with regret. He stat
ed today that while he appreciated the
aid which Mr.. Proctor had given in the
conduct of many important criminal
trials since the appointment of MIR. Will
son as attorney for the United States,
he is disinclined to stand in the way of
the advancement OF Mr.. Proctor in his
profession, which is expected to come
from genertl practice. For this reason,
Mr.. Wilson said. he will have another
assistant when the courts convene in
October. The name of the new assistant
will be announced by Mr.. Wilson in q
few days.
Mr.. Proctor is a native of Washington,
having been born here in 1882. After at
tending the public schools he entered the
employment Of the Columbia Title Insur-
ance Company, where he rose to the posi-
ton of examiner of titles to real estate.
Later he was clerk and shorthand report
err to Edward S. McCalmont, referee in
bankruptcy. Justice Gould then selected
Mr.. Proctor as his private secretary, and
the latter began the study of law at Co
lumbar University.
Practiced Before Graduation.
On reaching his majority in 1903, Mr..
Proctor took the examination for admis-
sion to the bar and was allowed to prac-
tice before he had completed his law
Graduating he To-
in 1904, he entered the office of the United
States attorney as a clerk under appoint
ment by Morgan H. Beach. When Mr..
Beach was succeeded by Daniel w.
Baker the services of Mr.. Proctor We're
retained and the next year he was desig-
mated an assistant to the United States
attorney.
The advance of Mr.. Proctor through
the grades of assistant was rapid. and
shortly after the appointment OF Mr..
Wilson he was given the position of
CHIEF prosecutoI which he is now re-
iinquishing. Before reaching his present
position Mr.. Proctor covered nearly every
assignment in the office.
Varied Experience.
He handled civil cases in the lower
court and in the Court of Appeals;
prosecuted violators of the pure food
law, had charge Of matters pertaining to
the acquisition Of land for the United
States. presented cases to the grand jury
and drew many involved and intricate
indictments. During the past two years
his time has been largely devoted to
criminal cases, which. alone and in COM
pany with Mr.. Wilson. he has prose-
cuted.
In the course Of his letter Of resigna-
ton, Mr.. Proctor said:
For some time l have had a desire
to establish myself in private practice.
and the desire having grown to a con-
as assistant United States attorney. to
take effect at such time In the near
future as may be convenient to you.
On ths Of yo1r ioree
has been SO enjoyable, and has always
made my work such pleasure, that /,
have hesitated in taking this step. and
personal interests only impel me to it.
Mr.. Wilson's Letter.
Expressing his regret at the retire
ment Of his assistant in a letter to Mr..
Proctor, United States Attorney Wilson
said:
Your industry and ability, both in
the conduct OF cases in court and in
the varied office work that is always to
be done in both criminal and civil
cases, have made you invaluable as an
assistant. and 1t will be difficult indeed
for me to find one who can fill your
place. Much as our associates and 1
will miss you. 1 am, of course in your
interest, constrained to accept your
resignation. but ask that it go into ef-
feet not until October /, so that you
can take charge of the office during my
absence next month. when l expect to,
leave the city for my vacation, and SO
that you can give us your help in the
preparation OF the work for the fall.
zone Of the most pleasant and salts
factory features Of my incumbency of
this ONCE has been the friendship / feel
we have formed"