Evening star., 1914-08-21

President Wilson sent to the Senate this
afternoon the nomination of John E
Laskey to be United States attorney of
the District of Columbia. to succeed
Clarence R. Wilson. who has held that
position more than four years.
The Recommendation for Laskey's
nomination reached the White House
this morning from the Department of
Justice, having received the approval
of Attorney General McReynolds and
Assistant Attorney General Samuel j.
Graham, who has been something of a
special adviser on District affairs and
men to the department for some
months. In fact, Mr.. Graham selected
Mr.. Laskey from among the numerous
candidates for the District atorneyship,
and it was upon his inaorsement that
Mr.. McReynolds acted, the President. of
course. following the recommendation Of
his Attorney General.
The selection of Mr.. Laskey was made
upon the ground, it is said, that he was
the best equipped man mentioned for
the place. Political influence had some
thing to do with the selection, but was
not the main factor. Mr.. Laskey had the
Endorsement of Senator Swanson and
Representatives Hay and Watson OF
Virginia, Representatives Pou of North
Carolina ana Tavenner OF Illinois. and
tional committeeman of the District.
Gardiner Had Strong Backing.
Until a short time ago it was believed
that w. Gwynn Gardner. who had the
earnest backing of Senator Blair Lee OF
Maryland would become United States
| attorney. but the qualifications of Mr..
Laskey, who had strong local backing.
appealed to the Department of Justice.
Mr.. Laskey Is a District man, having
been born in Washington forty-six years
ago. He was educated in the public
SCHOOLS here. finishing his education at
to the bar OF the District in 1888. and
two years later entered the Office of the
United States attorney Of the District as
assistant district attorney, remaining
| the private practice of law. In the dis
trict attorneys Office he obtained valu-
able experience in trial work. He is a
member of the firm of Thompson &
hasksy La sy.,,ia He was 1 professor Of Law in
| 1870 to 1870 and since 1910 has been
| an instructor in law In Georgetown Uni
versity. with criminal law as one of the
subjects. a number of years ago he was
named by the Supreme Court OF the Dis
! trict as one of the committee Of ex-
aminers for the examination of appli-
cants for admission to the bar of the
| DlStflct. he was secretary OIL the Bar
| Association of the District for many
years. and was honored a year ago by
election to the presidency of that organi-
| zation. He is a member of the Uni
versity. Lawyers and Press clubs.
| There Is said to be no doubt of Mr.
Laskey's confirmation by the Senate.
No Selection Of Judge.
I The nomination Of justice of the
Supreme Court Of the District was not
signed by the President, and there was
no information available as to when he
will do SO. The Attorney General IL
not ready to make a recommendation
for this vacancy. 1t is said, and until he
does SO the President will not act Mr.
Wilson himself has long favored the
nomination of F. l.. Siddons, Commits
sioner Of the District, but would be
guided to a large extent by what Mr.
McReynolds thinks about the various
men mentioned for the place
Mr.. Siddons is out of the city on his
vacation. and his friends today were
lanxious to know what was doing in his
case. Despite Mr.. Wilson's own views
as to a man. he usually defers to the
! recommendation of the cabinet Officer
in charge. Mr.. McReynolds has beer
represented as adverse to Mr.. Siddons
but II he Is, he has never presented hi.
reasons to the President, who will mo-
act until he receives a recommendation