Evening star., 1924-03-30
JUSTICE A. P. RUGG
OFFERED POST Of
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Chief of Massachusetts Su-
preme Court First Choice
to Succeed Daugherty.
FRIENDS FEAR JURIST
MAY DECLINE OFFER
Is Considered One of Foremost
Lawyers and Public Men
in New England.

in New England.
President Coolidge has offered the
appointment as Attorney General of
the United States to Arthur Prentice
Rugg, chief justice of the Supreme
Court of Massachusetts,. it was
learned last night from an authorita-
tive source.
Official announcement of this fact,
it is explained, is waiting only word
from the Massachusetts, jurist
whether or not he will accept this
offer
Massachusetts, friends of Justice
Riggs in Washington when ques-
toned about the probability of his
acceptance were unable to forecast
his attitude. 1t is understood that
efforts are being made to prevail
upon him to assume the head of the
Department of Justice and give his
ability and experience to the Pres
ident at this time.
Has Dstinguished Record
Justice Rugg has been a member OF
the highest court of Massachusetts
for more than eighteen years and has
been mentioned possible
appointee to the Supreme Court Of the
United States. He has had wide ex-
perience as a lawyer in Massachusetts
and is generally looked upon as one
of the outstanding legal figures of
New England.
Aside from the nature of the serv-
ice Justice Rugg would give to the
administration, according to those
who know him, the selection would
be most happy and fortunate from
other angles. In picking this long
trained lawyer and jurist the ques-
ton of political gain and vantage
would be removed. Also, because of
Mr.. Rugg's record, he could not help
but be readily confirmed by the SEN
ate.
May Decline Offer.
Justice Riggs hesitancy in accept
ing this honor is not difficult to un-
derstand by his friends and others
familiar with the situation. His pres
ent high place carries with it great
honors and satisfaction and it would
take much courage and patriotism to
give these up to take charge of the
Department of Justice at most diff
cult time.
There is some belief that by ac-
cepting the attorney generalship at
this time Justice Rugg would no
doubt be appointed to the United
States Supreme Court in the event of
a vacancy there within a reasonable
time.
Has Large List.
Provided Justice Rugg does not ac-
cept, the President must look about
for some other available candidate,
and he will again turn to the list of
those he has noted down mentally
since it became evident to him that
the portfolio would have to be filed
sooner or later.
The general requirements that Mr..
Coolidge will demand are that the
man be one in whom the country will
have confidence, and that he have an
unquestioned knowledge of law and
capacity for administration. In work
ing toward more detailed Qualifica-
tions he consulted yesterday some Of
his closest advisers and Judge Fred
erick E. Crane of the New York court
of appeals.
The list of those to which the Presi-
dent probably will go in seeking a
new Attorney General to meet the re-
quirements determined upon is large.
White House officials refused to give
any inkling as to those on the list.
but from many sources it was learned
that it includes, in addition to Justice
Rugg, Secretary Hughes, Senator
Borah of Idaho, Harlan +. Stone of
New York, Judge William S. Kenyon
of Iowa, Gov. Alexander j. Groesbeck
of Michigan and Senator Pepper of
Pennsylvania.
Cheiee May BE Dif1cnlt.
There was no indication that from
such a lengthy list as even this the
President would be able to find man
who would accept the place or meet
exactly the requirements he is laying
down. Geographical considerations,
while not considered of primary i'm
portance by the President, may elimi-
nate some at the outset.
Judge Kenyon's nomination. is be-
ing urged on the President by some
of the republican leaders from the
middle west and west They point to
his record as a progressive republican
in the Senate, and his earlier record
as assistant attorney general when
he was in charge of trust busting"
cases in the department. His nomi-
nation would be hailed by the coun-
try, they say, as step to place the
Department of Justice, which has
been under fire for long time, on a
high level.
On the other hand, some of the
Presidents advisers are strongly @S-
posed to Judge Kenyon They te@r,
it is said. that he might start soD.&
litigation that would attack busi-
ness in vital way. that he might
revert to his old trust-busting habits
"a course, they say, not all to be de-
sired with the campaign now getting
under way.
Opposed to Kenyon.
There are interests, in other words.
who are desirous of having a more
conservative" man in the office of
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