Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-29
REPORT TAFT CAST
FOR CHIEF JUSTICE
Believed to Be Harding's Choice
IL White Quits Supreme
Bench
SAW PRESIDENT RECENTLY
BY CLINTON W. GILBERT
STAFF correspondent Evening Public Ledger

stan NOFTeSpOfuSut FsNtHtfnE
Copyright, 1891. by Public Ledger Co.
Washington, March 29.-Sincc OK
President Taft's recent visit to the
White House his friends have become
much more hopeful Of his appointment
"a chief justice Of the Supreme Court.
There is good reason for believing that
President Harding gave some intimation
10 Mr.. Taft Of his intentions in the
event OF Chief Justice Whites resigna
ion.
Whatever approach the President
made is understood, however, to have
been wholly tentative. 1t can be said
rositivcly that the White House has re-
ceived no indication Of the chief JUS
fees intention to retire at any early
date.
Gossip here has had it for many
months that the chief justice would
seek a rest from the duties Of the court
.oon after the accession of Mr.. Hard
ing to office. But nothing more than
gossip is responsible for this belief.
One we'll authenticated story is that
Justice White was in need Of an opera
ton upon his eyes. and that he said to
A friend: II am staving off this opera
ton until nfter the 4th Of March,"
This remark, taken with the general
belief that Mr.. White had not approved
some Of President wilson's appoint
mcnts to the bench and wished to keep
him from naming the next chief justice,
was interpreted as a declaration Of his
desire TO quit active work MS noon as
a new President was in office. But it
may have been literal statement Of the
chief Justices plans.
White in Vigorous Health
Aside from the trouble with his eyes
the chief justice, in spite Of his seventy
FIVE years, is in vigorous health. There
are other justices Of the court who are
much Trailer and older looking than he
is. His burly figure is we'll preserved.
When he administered the oath of Office
TO Mr.. Harding he looked capable of
much more public service.
Traditions Of the court are against re-
tirement. Unless its members become
physically incapacitated they are in the
habit Of remaining in service as long
as they live. And the eye trouble Of
The chief justice Is such that it may be
relieved by an operation.
There being no vacancy on the Su-
preme bench, Mr.. Harding could hardly
subject Of an appointment tentatively
with Mr.. Taft. And this, it is be-
loved he has done. 1t is the Prcsi-
dents habit to make tentative ap-
proaches to the men whom he has in
mind for the more important posts.
Tho logic OF the situation has all
along pointed to Mr.. Taft's appoint
ment, especially since ex-Justice
hughes was eliminated as possibility
or the bench by his selection as secre-
,ary Of state. Mr.. Hughes was n
formidable contender for the place Of
chief Justice because of his DISTINGUISHED
>"rvic" in the court and because Of his
r'Sh standing with the public.
Few Men Of Taft's Caliber
It is taken for granted here that Mr..
Harding, unless he promotes one of
N" justices already on the Supreme
Lcnch, will name a man of the public
standing Of Mr.. Tnft and Mr.. Hughes. |
And there are few such men. The |
Same reasons which dictated the naming
o. Hughes and Hoover to the cabinet
will lead to the naming of man of
the calibcr Of ex President Taft to the |
chief justiccship. IL is generally felt |
mere that no appointment of successor
to Mr.. White would meet such general
popular approval as that of the ex-
President.
II Mr.: Taft is not appointed it is
suggested that Mr.. Harding may see
NJ TO name Justice Day, who Is already
on the bench, as chief justice, so that
ne can round out his career at the head
ot the court. Justice Day is Of about
ne same age as the chief justice. An
other possible appointee from the pres
"nt bench, in the opinion of Washington
iawyers, is Justice Van De Vanter.
IL the President should 90 outside Of
me present court in seeking a successor
Of Mr.. White it is believed that he
might choose e1 Senator George Suther-
and whom he holds In high regard.
In any case. no immediate appoint
ment is in prospect. Chief Justice White
IS likely to serve until the recess of the
court. He may wait to see the effect of
ne operation upon his eyes before de-
c'dlng whom TO retire.