The Washington times., 1917-11-10
MULLOWNY,
TERM ENDING.
MAY REMAIN
ON BENCH
By BILL PRICE.

BY BILL PRICE.
The six-yeGr term OF Judge Alex
Snder r. Mullowny, OF the Police
Court, will expire December 81 next
and the presumption is that he will
be given another term by President
Wilson. At the Department OF Jus
tice, upon the recommendations Of
which the President usually acts in
the majority Of judicial appoint
ments. It was said today that the
matter of filling this District position
when the vacancy occurs has not been
considered there.
It iE taken for granted among men,
bers Of the bar Of Washington that
there will be a number of candidates
for the place, although Judge Null
lowny will be strongly supported for
another term by many of the best
known members OF the legal profess
sion.
Peculiar Situation.
A peculiar situation has existed for
many months as to Judge James Push,
of the same court. Judge Pugh's
original six-year term expired March
50, 1915, and his friends counted upon
HIS receiving another appointment.
The filling of the position dragged
along for a number OF months until
the 9Th OF last April, when President
Wilson, upon the recommendation Of
Attorney General Gregory, nominated
Robert W. Hardison, OF Kentucky.
Mr.. Hardison's nomination was con-
flrmed by the Senate April IL. last.
The White House and Department
OF Justice received letters stating
that Mr.. Hardison was seriously i'll
and would not be able to assume the
duties OF the position for some time
The latest information is. that Mr..
Hardison has been improving and will
be able to take the oath OF office and
sit upon the police bench about the
last Of December.
Judge ,PuEh Holds over.
Judge Pugh has held over pending
the arrival OF his successor and will
continue to do so, although tempting
onsrs have been made him TO resume
private practice. He is held in high
esteem by court officials and attor-
neys practicing before him. The law
has meant something to him beyond
cold application OF the strict word
ing. It has q human side, as he looks
At It.
The coming session Of Congress is
expected 10 provide two new Justices
for the Supreme Court bench of the
District, that being imperativsly nee
~ Afann9a - H..
work before that court. There are
caseS on the docket that ought to
have been decided two years ago. but
could not be reached because Of the
pressure OF more important cases.
The Senate has recognized the need
OF two additional justices by passing
. bill providing them, but the House
at the last session held TO it3 deter
minatton to enact no legislation be.
yond that providing for the war. Rep
resentatiVe Edwin Y. Webb Of North
Carolina, chairman Of the House Ju-
dietary Committee. fully Understood
the urgent need OF the extra Judges,
and sought to have the House make
this need special. but could get no
action He will push the bill at the
beginning Of the next session.
Mr.. Webb's name has been promI.
nently mentioned for a judgeship in
the District, and the President is said
to regard him favorably.
~COnnie- syme Wants to Fight.
Conrad Syme. corporation counsel
for the District Of Colunbis, is be-
Hsved to have been practically slated
for a District judicial appointment for
E long time and his friends are count
ing upon his being named TO one Of
the positions TO be created by Con-
Eress. 1t will not be necessary for
Aim to make a fight for the honor IL
he should want it owing to the power
fuI backing he would get without ask
ing for #.
Mr. Syme, however. is not thinking
about a judicial appointment right
now. The truth Is that his mind is
running toward getting a commission
IN the army to serve his country. The |
big scrap appeals to him. He wants
TO be In the thick of 1t. He has not
been in position to seek an army |
appointment
He has represented the District in |
the important utility hearings of the |
last eighteen months. intended to OBJ
tain correct valuation OF District |
utilities and proper rates for service |
to the people OF the District Some Of |
these hearings have not been com
pleted, and Mr.. Syme will shortly ap-
pear in the District courts to oppose |
the suit OF the Potomac Electric Light
Company, to prevent the lowering of
its electric light rates to consumers
OF the District. as ordered by the |
Utilities Commission. His services TO |
the District are exceptionally valu-
able now and for some time to come |
Therefore he must postpone his |
wishes to go into the army.
One OF Mr.. Syme's sons is in West
Point and soon will enter the army. |
Another is in the Virginia Military
-