Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1916-07-21
APPOINTED TO CLAIMS COURT

2In. 4 ,
APPOINTED TO CLAIMS COURT.
Washington, July 15.-Presi-
dent Wilson Yesterday nominated
Representative James Hay, of
Madison. Va, Chairman of the
House military affairs commit
tee. for judge of the United
States court of claims, to sue
coed Judge George w. Atkinson,
who retired for age.
Mr.. Hay has represented the
Seventh Virginia district in Con-
gress for twenty years, and since
his youth has been a power in
the Virginia Democratic political
organization.
Since the preparedness CAM
paign began two years ago he
has been the foremost champion
|of the national guard as the ma
TONS main reliance for defense,
and to him more than any other
one man in Congress was due the
ldefeat of former Secretary Gar
rlson's plan for organizing
Federal continental volunteer
army as a reserve behind the
Regulars. He always has oppos-
ed a large regular army, but
agreed to a considerable increase
on which the House and Senate
conferees compromised.
| The court of claims judgeship
lis a life Office, with a salary OF
1860 year, and after ten
! years service the holder may re.
tire on full pay. Mr.. Hay now
is about so years old. He served
| as Commemorative Attorney oil
his county and in the house and
senate of the Virginia Assembly
before coming to Congress.
i The nomination came as a sur
| prise. as Representative Hay:
name had not beeu mentioned
among the numerous applicants
i His confirmation will be voted
promptly by the Senate.
Representative S. H. Dent. o.
! Alabama, ranking Democratic
| member. automatically will be-
leone chairman Of the military
Icommittee for the remainder Of
the session upon Mr.. Hays re-
tlrement.
i Representative Hay said yester'
day that the reason for his quit
ting Congress for the judgeship
was that he preferred the bench,
i Il have had long experience
in Congress-" he said. land will
| be glad to go on the bench now
instead of to keep up the con.
ltinual rotation of political cleo.
tions. There is no other reason.
There are no political questions
Involved. / will resign from
congress at the close of this SEES
sion.
Republican Leader Mann made
a speech yesterday praising the
services of Mr.. Hay, and his trib-
ute aroused applause from DEM
ocrats and Republicans alike.
Mr.. Hay responded, saying he
to leave the House,
but that lie felt it his duty to ac-
cept the Presidents nomination.
Il am glad Hay has the ap-
pointment if he wants 1t, and l
suppose he would not have got
| ten it if he did not want it," said
Speaker Clark, but it takes out
of the House one of its strongest
men. Hay is one of the ablest
presiding officers in Congress.
On the floor, in a parlia mentary
fight, he never quarrels he just
takes up a saw and saws off the
limb"
The Virginia members said
that the appointment gives Mr..
Hay an opportunity after years
of vigorous public life to spend
the rest Of his time in the quiet
dignity of judicial Office.
Mr.. Hay had just been renomi-
mated in his congressional dis
trict, and has had practically no
opposition for some years. It
was said at the Capitol that
Thomas W. Harrison, Of Win
chester, probably would figure
as a candidate to succeed him.
Judge Harrison as Successor |