Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-16
WILSON NAMES HAY
AS FEDERAL JUDGE
Virginia Representative Nomi-
mated to Court of Claims
Bench.
REASONS FOR APPOINTMENT
Remarkable Tribute Paid in
House When Announce
ment Is Made.
Especial to The Times-Disna,ch !


Affairs. leader Of the "small-army"
forces in Congress and the storm
center Of the legislative battle over
the armT reorranization bill. to-day
was nominated by President Wilson to
be Judge Of the United States Court
of Claims Mr.. Hay will retire from
Congress a the end of the present ses-
sion to accept the appointment. Tho
position is for lifetime, and pays $4,000
a year. After ten years service tho
holder may retire on full pay.
Mr. Hay has represented the Seventh
Virginia District in Congress for
twenty years, and since his youth has
been a power in the Virginia Demo-
cratic political organization. He now
is about sixty-fve years old. He
served as Commonwealth's attorney of
his county. and in the House and SEN
ate of the Virginia Assembly before
coming to Congress. His colleagues
believe confirmation will be voted
promptly by the Senate.
Representative 5. H. Dent. Of Ala
bama. ranking Democratic member,
automatically will become chairman Of
the Military Committee for the re-
mainder Of the session upon Mr.. Hays
retirement.
DEFEAT OF GARRISON PLAN
DUE TO HIS INFLUENCE
To him. more than any other one man
in Congress. was due the defeat of
former Secretary Garrisons plan for
organizing a Federal continental volun-
teer army as a reserve behind the reg
ulars. He has opposed a large regular
army. but agreed 10 a considerable in
crease in the reorganization bill oriEi-
nally reported by his committee.
The announcement of Mr.. Hays
nomination hit Congress like a bomb
she'll Only a half-dozen Of the Vir-
Ein!ans most intimate friends had any
knowledge that the appointment would
he made. Neither Mr.. Hay nor those
on the INSIDE" had any idea that the
nomination would be sent to the Sem
ate so soon.
The appointment of Mr. Hay gave
rise to a great deal of political con-
lecture in Congress. There were re-
ports that the President desired TO
eliminate Mr.. Hays influence in plans
20 strengthen the army. as the Vir-
ginian has persistently stood for his
own "small-army" views in all the
preparedness legislation. There were
other reports that Mr.. Hay, on account
Of his stand for small army, faced
defeat in the Seventh Virginia District,
which he has represented in Congress
for twenty years.
APPOINTMENT TENDERED
TO HAY IN FEBRUARY
The Times Dispatch correspondent,
however, learns on trustworthy author
ity that the appointment was rendered
Mr. Hay last February by the Presi-
Atkinson retired under the age re-
tirement law. The selection OF Mr.. Hay
was brought about this way. according
10 reliable information.
Last fall Mr. Hay told a close friend
that he was getting weary of the ardu-
Gus labors in Congress. and expressed
a wish TO end his career on the bench
in Washington. This friend, who is
not identified with public life, told
President Wilson. who expressed a
readiness to crafty the wish of the
Nirginian. The President. it is stated,
kept the matter in mind. and about six
months later vacancy OH the Court
OF claims was created by the retire
ment of Judge Atkinson. Shortly after
wards the President asked Mr.. Hay il
he desired this appointment. The
whole matter was kept as a closed
book. and only a few intimate friends
of the VirGinian knew about it,
Mr.. Hays retirement will create a
vacancy in the House from the Seventh
Virginia District, for which there will
he big scramble. y half-dozen lead
ing Democrats will seek the Democratic
nomination. Names of those who, II
is understood in Washington, will be
fn- ha
ton are Judge W. T. Harrison of Win
chester: State Senator II. B. Early, of
Greene: State Senator Conrad, of Rock
inEham; Judge r. T. W Duke of Abe
marie: former State Senator Blackburn
Smith. of Clarke, and State Senator
II. II. Downing. of Front Royal. United
States District Attorney Richard Eve
lyn Byrd, of Winchester. will not be
n candidate, it is stated. and will give
his support to Judge Harrison
HARRISON AND DUKE
EXPECTED TO LEAD
The impression prevails here that
tho contes; will be between Judge
Harrison and Judge Duke. Although
Judge Harrisons plans are not fully
developed. it is understood that he in
tends to be a candidate. and will re-
sign from the Circuit Court bench
within a few days in order to make the
race. 1t is also expected that State
Senator Smith, of Berryville. and Sem
ator Downing. of Front Royal. will be
in the race. They have indicated
desire to their friends to make the
race for Congress In the event Mr.. Hay
retired from Congress.
Mr. Hay came to Congress in 1896. on
the crest of the Bryan free silver"
wave. He succeeded tho late Judge
Turner. OF Front Royal, who refused a
denomination for Congress after the
Democratic party made free silver the
paramount issue in it's presidential
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