The Cordova daily times., 1922-11-25
sv GEORGE R. HOLMES


 By GEORGE R. HOLMES
 WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-Whether the present administration ends ill 1924 the initials ''W. G. H." are going to be carved into the sacred wood Of the United States Supreme Court bench for many years to come.
 Fate sometimes plays stranse pranks. In this instance it has twist ed about to contrive a set of circum- stances in which, whether he wills it or not, Warren G. Harding, nonlegal person if ever there was one, seems likely to have greater influence upon the future of the nations highest trl- bunal than any other President in his tory.
 For the first time since the found ing of the court in 17s9 it seems wholly probable that single President will have the honor and the responsibility of naming a majority of the courts nine members.
 It is generally accepted that the court takes on the character of the men who sit on it, and MT. Hardings responsibility thus becomes all the more imposing, considering the tre- mendous influence the court wields upon American national life.
 Not two years of MT. Harding's first term have yet expired. Yet he has al ready had three vacancies to fill on the bench, and it is wholly probable that there will be two more before the country again goes to the polls to elect President.
 The death of Chief Justice Edward D. White was the first vacancy under President Harding. He filled 1t with William Howard Taft. Then John H. Clarke the "baby" of the court. re- signed to work for the land The lat est resignation is that of Justice Will jam R. Day. This vacancy has been filled by the naming of Pierce Butler of St. Paul, Democrat.
 The other two vacancies likely to take place while Mir Harding is in the White House are in the seats now occupied by Joseph McKenna and Oliver Wendell Holmes, Justice Mo Kenna is 79 years old; Justice Holmes is S1. Both are long past the re- tirement age.
 It was currently reported around the Capitol two years ago that both Justice McKenna and Justice Holmes were considering retiring, but they preferred to wait until Woodrow Will son had passed from the White House.
 There may still be sixth vacancy under Mir Harding. Justice Mahlon Pitney, GA, appointed by then Presi- dent Taft in 1912, has been in poor health for some months and may be forced to retire. a5
 In this event, and should the ex- pected vacancies of Justices McKenna and Holmes occur, President Harding will have had the naming of two thirds of the United States Supreme Court-a responsibility that has been no other Presidents in history.
 There will be genuine regret at the passing of Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes from Washington. Octoge- marian though he is, there are few men in public life today who boast a straighter figure or more command ing personality than the silver-haired New Englander He still has the bear ing of soldier and the charm of g. gentleman of the old school.
 The life of Oliver Wendell Holmes would furnish material for half dozen historical novels. His modest bio graphy shows:
 "Oliver Wendell Holmes, of Boston, Mass, Associate Justice, of the Su, preme Court of the United States, was born in Boston, Mass, March 8, 1S41, graduated from Harvard College in 1ok1. T,,lv 1n t2R1 waa cnrn faainnAd