Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1921-04-04


dent HARDING today named as =
recess sppolntee William e.
Baker, Of Elkins. w. Va. to be
judac OF the United States Dis
trct Court for the Northern Dis
tret of West Virginia.
William r.. Baker. of Elkina. waa
given u recess appointment by Presh
dent Harding on Saturday afternoon
NJ federal Judge for the Northern
District of West Virginia. He illls
tho place made vacant by tho death
OF the late Aston G. Dayton. which
has been filled with emergency
Judges since the death or Judge Da~
ton. Whether or not Judge Baker
qualified for the position at tho De-
partment OF Justice on Saturday, fol-
lowing his appointment. was mot
known by Col Walkers office this
morning: but In case he did not 20
through the formality. he will qualify
before u. S. Clerk Barrett hero IN.
morrow morning, and then proceed
10 preside at the torn. The appoint.
ment was made after urgent repro
sensations by District Attorney Wa.
ker as to the necessity OF havins.
some one available for tho terri
which opens here tomorrow.
Judge Baker Is known TO a number
OF members OF the local bar and n
well known throughout the stats
through his activities in his profens
sion and In the interest Of the Re
publican party He Is expected to
reach the city some time this afters
noon
Liquor Term" Here.
II was announced Mt the Office 81
District Attorney Walker this morn.
ing that the cases here this term will
center around alleged violations OF
the prohibition amendment and prob-
ably will come to be known as the
liquor term" Approximately 100
information cases are TO BIO filed at
the term. including forty-eight de.
fendants. There will be NO grand
jury but the petit Jury will serve A.
usual. Court officials are expected
here this evening from Wheeling and
other points.
Native Soil Product
William T.. Baker. who will sue
coed Judge A. G. Dayton, of Phil
ippi, who died last year. as Judge OF
the United States District Coz Forl-
the Northern District OF WI
ginia, has long been active In
liean politics, not only in w
ginia but also in national pc )
He served as chairman OF
publican State Committee u a
year. when he was succeeded .~,
u. White as state chairman. During
the campaign last year he was as
signed to important work at the
western headquarters of the Repub-
lcan National Committee at CHI
cago.
Mr.. Baker has practiced law in
Elkins, Randolph county, for d
twenty gears He was candiGN&
for pros cutting attorney on the
publican ticket several times, btA
was never successful IN the strong
Democratic county OF his home.
Judge Marshall. or Writ county,
was the principal avowed candidate
opposing Mr.. Baker for the Federal
ludgeship. Among others mentioned
for the office Mt various times were
JuuBt - q IT, iAbblllbOus al iS"t
ton son OF the former judge
Judge Homer Woods OF Richie conn
~, and Raymond Maxwell. of Harri-
son county.
The now judge was born about -
years ago at Beverly, Randolph
county, a son OF ELI and Margaret
Baker, He was educated In the COM
mon schools OF his native county
and at Wesleyan and West Virginia
University. His wife was formerly
Miss Martha Davidson, of Evansville
Ind. They have one daughter, Miss
Jeanette Baker.
The Federal District Of Northern
West Virginia, OF which he is to be
Judge, includes the counties OF Ber-
baur. Berkeley, Brooke, Calhoun,
Boddridge, Gilmer Grant. Hamp-
shire. Hancock, Hardy Harrison.
jefferson. Lewis. Marion, Marshall,
Mineral Monongalia. Morgan, Ohio.
Pendleton, Peasants, Preston, Ran
dolph. Richie. Taylor. Tucker, Ty-
Ter UDshur, Wetzel. Writ and Wood
Charleston April 5 The news
from Washington Saturday that w.
Z. Baker, Of Elkins. had been APP
pointed by President Harding as fed
eral Judge Of the Northern West
Virginia district. to succeed the late
Aston g. Dayton. pleased but ala
not surprise bic numerous friends
among tho legislators and others.
r WIS known 10 have been definite.
IS sculcd some time ago that Mr..
lakoe would get the appointm
h0t II came little ahead OF ok.
psej9uous. Attorney General Dansh.
erfy bad boeu quoted by the press
as saying That no recess apoplnt-
meuta for bis department. were to
be made
Members NJ the legislature were
commenting very favorahiy last
evening on the high recognition that
las come to Mr. Baker The praise
eas especially warm from the lips
~ tie Republican members. but
Democrats rs well had a good word
to eay. Other rarty leaders added
tu The praise
Tic apmdutpeHi relieves Sc.
aous situation IA the state, which
fHs b.ru without an acting United
states iutse H either districts for
Hdny HaHa. The holding of
ou' Iesu hat time has only
been possible e4ueh The favor OF
tirtul llees from the fourth dis