The broad ax., 1925-09-12

as West Tennessee, the subject of this
sketch was born. His father, now
deceased, was the Reverend Shad-
rach r. Cotter. James O.. was the
only child, and the parents took great
pride in sending their son to school
and giving him a good education.
When young Cotter Was only ten
years Of age the family moved to Pa
ducah, Kentucky, where The father
was called to the pastorate Of the
Trimble Street Christian Church. The
youth was at once placed in the CITY
grammar schools and afterwards en-
tered the Lincoln High School. from
which he graduated as valedictorian
OF his class. Desiring to obtain a COL
lege education our subject matricu-
lated at Fisk University, from which
he graduated III 1901 He then en-
tered the University of Chicago where
he took a post course. Finding him
self in need OF funds he secured work
railroading for two years. after which
he matricuated at the Illinois College
OF Law, from which he graduated
with high honors in the class Of 1912
In the meantime, before finishing his
law course, Mr.. Cotter had become
active in politics, and had connected
himself with some OF the most prom
inent political leaders in the city OF
Chicago. He had developed great ora
toricai ability and attracted the atten-
ton Of his associates in public affairs
while engaged III the private practice
Of his profession.
In the summer OF 1916 attorney
Cotter while associated with the late
Chester W. DeArmond. won national
distinction AZ lawyer i'll the cele-
brated Nanny" Observation-Disclosures
Delbridge case Because of The great
principle involved. and the unusual
methods employed BY certain individ-
uals connected with the Juvenile
Court and the States Attorneys Of
fee, to defeat justice, this case receiv-
Sd wide spread publicity both in this
country and i'll Europe.
In the Spring Of 1917, attorney Cot
ter was appointed assistant Attorney
General Of Illinois, under former Att
torney General Edward J. Brundage.
which position he filled with honor
and distinction until the fall If 1910.
when he resigned to follow his pri-
vate practice While serving the
State as assistant Attorney General.
Mr. Cotter handled the prosecution
Of violators of the medical practice
Act and miscellaneous assignments Of
cases involving State contracts.
In the fall Of 1921 our subject was
appointed to his present position Of
Assistant United States Attorney BY
the late President Harding. through
former Attorney General Harry NJ.
Daugherty. Attorney Cotter was rec
commended to the Pesident by that
stalwart Republican Congressman,
Martin B. Madden, after having been
Endorsed by some Of the most promin-
ent citizens Of Chicago, and BY some
Of our ablest Judges and members of
the Chicago bar In his position he
now occupies he has distinguished
himself as an expert in the prosecu-
ton Of revenue, criminal extradition
and habeas corpus cases in the fed
era1 courts This is the first time a
member Of our group has been given
full recognition by the Government
and permitted to demonstrate his
character and ability in the service
Of Uncle Sam. Mr.. Cotter has full
charge Of the above mentioned class
Of cases, and has handled some Of
the most important litigation ever
tried in the Federal Courts. Among
the cases assigned are the following:
United States versus Reichert Leaf
Tobacco Co.; United States versus
Essenkay Products Co.; United States
versus Chicago Title and Trust Com
pany; United States versus General
Combustion Company; United States
versus National Nalleable Iron and
Steel Castings Company; United
States versus Leo Koretz; United
States versus Warren G. Spurgin;
United States versus American Straw
Board Company; United States YER
sus Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
Railway Col; United States versus
Walter Stevens. and hundreds OF 9TH
ers Of equal importance. In all Of