Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-13
MIGHTY RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE Still UNCHECKED
THOMAS IS REJECTED
BY SENATE COMMITTEE
Attorney Generals Nomination
for South Georgia Judge
ship Adversely Reported
az RALPH SMITH


WASHINGTON, D. c., July 12.-The
senate judiciary committee this morning
voted unanimously to adversely report
the nomination of w. E. Thomas for
federal judge in the southern district
OF Georgia. The action was taken at
a special meeting called solely for the
purpose Of considering the Georgia NOM
nations, which was sent to the senate
late yesterday afternoon.
Judge Thomas name, sent IN
yesterday after another nominal
ton for the vacancy had been
rejected, did not appear on a list
Of seventeen men acceptable to him
which Senator Hardwick had submit
ted and which he indicated had Sem
ator Hoke Smiths approval.
The two Georgia senators first joined
in recommending the appointment OF
John T. West to succeed the late Judge
nomination of Judge U. v Whipple. The
senate rejected the nomination of OBJ
lection by Senator Hardwick.
The temper Of the judiciary commit
tee was clearly shown by the fact that
adverse action was taken before the at
torney general had forwarded Judge
Thomas papers to the judiciary COM
mittee. II is customary in the consid-
Grafton OF all nominations for the SEN
ate committee to which IL is referred
to await 'the papers in the case" but
in this instance the feeling was so
strong that II was determined to coun-
tenance no delay, and the nomination
was adversely reported before Judge
Thomas endorsement, recommendations,
etc, had been received.
Action of the fun committee follow
ed the report of a specially appointed
subcommittee consisting of Senators
Hoke Smith. King Of Utah, and Borah
of Idaho. This same subcommittee
recently considered and adversely re-
ported on the nomination of U. V.
whipple of Cordele for the south Geor-
gia judgeship. which was subsequent
" rejected by the senator. The Thomas
nomination was referred to this same
subcommittee because OF the familiar
.tv- OF IT'S members with the situation
rejecting the judgeship matter.
The unanimous action Of the full
judiciary committee foreshadows thel
speedy rejection of Judge Thomas II
there Is an executive session of the SEN
ate this afternoon the report of the
committee will be called up and the
formal vote of rejection recorded, fol-
lowing which the judgeship situation
will return to the state in which 1t has
stood for the past several months.
SENATOR HARDWICK is HEARD.
The subcommittee and the full COM
mittee today heard briefly from Senator
Hardwick concerning the Thomas nomi-
nation. The Junior senator recounted
briefly the history of his differences
with the attorney general. He said that
some weeks ago Judge Thomas name
was submitted to him by the attorney
general, and that he then advised that
/ his nomination would prove objection
able. He added that he had Informed
Judge Thomas that he would ask his
rejection IL nominated. He told further
of his efforts to give the southern dis
trict a federal Judge by submitting on
Tuesday the names of eighteen promi-
nent lawyers, any one whom he inform
ed General Gregory would be acceptable
| TO him.
/ The action Of the judiciary commit
/ tee occasioned small surprise In Wash
| ington, but the haste with which the
matter was handled is the subject of
general comment. Never before so far
as is known. has a nomination for judge
ship been followed by such hasty and
positive action. 1t may be stated that
sentiment generally among senators
without regard to party affiliations and
legislative difference is practically
unanimous in considering what they say
is an effort to ignore and humiliate one
Of their colleagues.
/ senator hardWlck Is unTuIIeu Oy the
recent development. He processes conf
dence that II the attorney general wants
to give the people of the southern dis
/ trict a federal judge he should expert
ence no difficulty in getting a suitable
and satisfactory man from the abundance
of material he has submitted for his
| consideration.
That the friendly attitude Of Senator
Smith toward the president and the fine
working arrangement he has with the
administration has in no wise been af-
fected by the appointment Of Judge
Thomas was indicated when he inserted
in the congressional record the presi-
dents appeal to the business men of the
country, as published in the press to-
day.
Ia tt