Evening star., 1928-03-04
CHOICE FOR GORDON
POST CUT TO TWO
Rover and Proctor Seen as
Having Equal Chance for
u. S. Attorney.
BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG.

President Coolidge. within the next
few days will name successor to Mai
Peyton Gordon, whom he has appointed
10 the Supreme Court Of the District
Of Columbia. as United States attor-
ney for the District.
According to a White House au-
,hority the Presidents choice has mar
rovcd down to Leo A. Rover, who for
the past FIVE years has been assistant
United States attorney here. and James
NJ. Proctor, who served IN similar
capacity from 1906 TO 1913 and who
is now a member Of the laT firm Of
Proctor. Brashears &; Townsend.
The chances Of these tao preferred
aspirants for this important local post
are represented as being about even.
Because Of this it is believed the Presi-
dent will take several days TO give fur
ther study 10 the subject.
Choice of Proctor Seen.
There are some, who are in posi-
ion to speak with some little knowI-
edge Of the situation, who are inclined
to think that Mr.. RoYers chances of
success are thc brighte ., because he
was given serious consideration ahead
OF the presentation Of Mr.. Proctor's
name. and more especially because Il
Is understood that Attorney General
Sargent. vino the President has dele
gated to Investigate the qualifications
Of the var!ous aspirants. had virtually
decided 10 recommend 10 the President
the appointment Of Rover. when a
campaign for Mr.. Proctor vas
launched
Local Republican leaders are not
only insistent IN their advocacy Of the
appointment of Mr. Proctor. out they
are known to have presented the lat
ter's qualifications and peculiar fitness
for this post in manner that was un-
questionably impressive. One intimate
of the President was inclined last night
to think that Mr. Proctor would De the
ultimate choice.
When It vas learned by local Repub-
lican leaders last Wednesday that Mr.
Rover's appointment looked almost GER
tain, special meeting of the executive
committee OF the Republican State COM
nlittee OF the District was turriedly
called. and resulted in the adoption Of
resolutions recommending Mr.. Proctor.
copies of which were sent TO both the
President and Attorney General
Sargent
In urging the appointment OF Mr.
Proctor. the Republican State commit
tee is understood not 70 have classed
Mfr Rover as a Democrat. II was mere
ly explained that he was not known
as ever haring shown an evidence OF
being Republican.
Not Active Party Man.
Mr. Rover is known TO have been
strongly recommended by Maj. Goraor
in addition 10 Owen D. Roberts of Phil
adelphia. and former Senator Atlee
Pomerene of Ohio. the Governments
special counsel in the oil prosecutions.
These recommendations are known 10
have had considerable influence in his
behalf
Mr. Rover claims ne is Republican.
In answer to representations that ne
had Democratic leanings IN the east
Mr. Rover frankly admitted that he
favored the nomination of the late
Champ Clark as the Democratic ncn-
inee in 1912 and that he vas a defeat
ed candidate as a delegate 10 the con-
vention held here by local Democrats
10 select delegates 20 the Democratic
national convention that year. He ex-
planned that his support Of Champ
Clark was not because Of his not being
Republican. but because had a per-
sonal fondneSs for Mr. Clark.
Mr.. Rover stated. however. that he
has not belonged 20 any Republican
clubs or otherwise identified himself
with that party's activities here.