The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-03-23

The new secretary OF the navy, Curtis
Dwight Wilbur, although a political ap-
spointee, has had less of q political record
than Judge Kenyon, who was the presidents
first choice. Mr.. Wilbur was once chief
deputy district attorney of Los Angeles
county, but has continuously thereafter, since
1908, occupied judgeships, first as judge OF
the superior court Of Los Angeles county,
then as justice of the supreme court OF Cali
fornia with a term expiring normally IN
1881: The connection between a lawyer
Judge and the secretaryship of the navy at
first appears remote; but Judge Wilbur is a
graduate of the United States Naval Acad-
envy, and perhaps more intimately imbued
with the spirit, traditions and purposes OF
the navy than the average Of its secretaries.
: As a lawyer he could not be hoodwinked by
illegal DEALS That he is of greater intellec-
tusi caliber than his predecessor is not ques-
toned.
:. That Judge Wilbur is not widely known
outside of his own section is indicated by
, the expression of the Nashville Banner:
1--WE are not advised as to his qualifications,
but at least he lives on the coast and may
have acquired some knowledge of naval mat
ters." That the Banner is in somewhat
joyial mood is suggested by the foregoing
and also by the following: Politics Is too
often determining factor in making execu-
five appointments, and fitness is not suffi-
GENTLY sine qua non, though politics may
not have influenced the president in the Sc
lection of Judge Wilbur. However, it may
be set down as a certainty that the gentle
man so distinctly honored was not suggested
or urged by Hiram johnson"
According to the New York Times: AT
this time the fact need not be emphasized
thatfa secretary learned in the law will be
welcomed by the country and by the United
States navy. To that qualification the
merit of an understanding of the spirit and
traditions of the service is added in Judge
WiIburs case" The warmth of the Times
approval is thus further evidenced: The
response of the Californian to the proffer of
the portfolio stamps him as of the right
caliber for the job. You seem to be the
nah need for the navy telegraphed the
prekident Am drafting you today. Please
answer There was no consulting with
friends. Politicians did not have to be seen.
Immediately the answer came: Il will &C
cepts the appointment and will come to Wash
ington az soon after confirmation as possible.
usei.in the emergency with which the navy
as well as the president was confronted.
Seeming to detect special territorial sig
nificance in the appointment, the Phiiadel-
phia Public Ledger remarks Doubtless his
apIointment has its political significance.
Most appointments do. In its larger aspects,
however, it will be taken as recognition
OF the vital interests Of the Pacific 'cRast in
the United States navy. East Of the ALE
ghaiies the Pacific coast line seems. very
far away. To the Trans-Cascadian, looking
out over the Pacific to Asia, it is very near.
Judge Wilbur should bring new and pos
sibly needed viewpoint into the department.
The New York Herald, however, reminds its
readers that sit is the second time in our
history that the Pacific coast has furnished
a secretary of the navy, Victor III. MetcaH
under Roosevelt having also come from Cali
fornia. Now that our main naval strength
Is kept in the Pacific it is proper to recognize
that section. Mr.. Wilbur is a graduate OF
4 the Naval Academy, a man known for his
work in framing progressive legislation, and
one of the most eminent jurists OF the West.
He organized the famous Juvenile court of
Los Angeles and has been in charge OF Near
Eastern relief in California"
J Apparently without a great deal of enthu-
siahm, the Cleveland Plain Dealer observes:
Though trained for the navy, Wilbur evil
IDENTIFY did not like the looks Of the wild
sea waves, for he resigned from the service
the same year he graduated from the acad-
cmy, went West End became lawyer. Now
lie returns to the seat of government to direct
the destinies of the department which trained
r. ha lie ucf
critical of its federal department chiefs. One
has retired under fire and one hangs on with
loosening grip. The public wishes well of
and for the California judge who takes Of
Mice in the current hubbub at the capital"
\ ."In appointing Mr.. Wilbur to be secretary
of the navy" says the Louisville Courier
Journal, "the president smashes at least
one precedent graduate of the United
States Naval Academy becomes, for the first
time, head of the navy department. There
lis no reason to apprehend that under the
direction of Judge Wilbur the Lazy depart
Sment will not be faithfully and efficiently
directed Also, in the view of the Hartford
Courant of Connecticut: President Cool
idge appears to have picked man who may
be counted upon to administer the great but
miserably paid office in the way it should be
administered 10. The fact that he left the
service shortly after his graduation from
Annapolis should not mean that those years
of training will not stand him in excellent
stead as secretary OF the navy with whose
training and traditions he became SO IA
miliar.'
One significant factor in determining the
presidents choice appears to have escaped
most editors. 1t is that the situation in
Washington now of all times demands the
choice of men who are of the highest private
character as well as Of high capacity. Lack
of character is the keynote to the scandals
that now. in multiplying degree, beset the
Republican administration. Men who are
grounded in the essential principles of honesty
cannot be led even indirectly to betray their,
official trust. There is every reason to be-
Iieve that Judge Wilbur is such a man, and
that his unblemished reputation, his admir-
able private life and his intellectual attain