Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-30
DELAYS APPOINTING
GORDON SUCCESSOR
President DiSIikeS a Recess
ChoiCe-0ppositiOn to
Rover Is Seen.
BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG,
STAFF Correspondent OF The Star.


CEDAR ISLAND LODGE, BRULE
RIVER, Wis, June 30.-President Cool
idge is represented as preferring to wait
until the Senate is again in session ne
fore appointing successor to Judge
Peyton Gordon, as United States attor-
ney for the District of Columbia.
He is known to be of the opinion
that inaSmuch as he did not succeed
in making a selection for this posi-,
which has been vacant since early last
Winter. before the Senate adjourned,
that it would be unfair to the appointee
to make a recess appointment now.
principally because the latter would be
prevented from drawing any salary un-
til after his confirmation by the Sen
ate.
This would apply to Leo A. Rover,
assistant United States attorney. who
has been acting as attorney ever since
Judge Gordon resigned, as well as TO
any outsider whom the President might
appoint. It is known that the President
has found from making appointments IN
the past that certain hardshlpS and
embarrassments have been imposed at
times Upon such appointees and ne
wants to avoid this.
Satisfied With Rover.
In the meantime the President is per-
fectly satisfied to have MIR. Rover serve,
but he has given no indication that he
intends to name Rover.
MFR. Coolidge was advised at the time
the adjournment of the Senate was
drawing near and the question OF the
vacant attorneyship was being discussed
bv him. that Mr.. Rover. from ms ions
experience in the Office, was thoroughly
familiar with the various matters thai
would come up and that he could handle
the office TO the entire satisfaction OF
the Government.
Furthermore, the President is known
To have been urged by Atlee Pomerene
and Owen Roberts. the Government S
snecial counsel engaged in prosecuting
cases growing out of the naval OIL
leases. not to appoint any one else to
take over the attorneys office, II ne
made up his mind not 10 appoint Mr..
Rover until the oil cases had been
cleared away. They advised the PreSl-
dent that Mr.. Rover's knowledge OF
these cases and the able manner IN
which he was assisting them made II
imperative to make no change at least
for some time.
II is known also that the Department
of Justice was of the same opinion, and
that the Attorney General joined IN
advising the President to this extent.
Score Rover Politics.
The fact that the President did not
give the appointment 70 MIR. Rover be-
fore the Senate adjourned. after all the
representations made TO him III Mr.
Rover's behalf. is taken by Republican
leaders in Washington who have been
urging the appointment OF James M.
Proctor to indicate very clearly that
the President has made up his MIND 10
appoint some other than Mr.. Rover.
They insist that II the President had
had any intention of promoting Mr.
Rover ne would have done so long be-
fore now.
The opposition TO Mr.. Rover is con-
fined principally to the fact that the
local Republican leaders claim that
they have no record of MIR. Rover hav-
ing been Republican before he be-
came a candidate for this appointment.
Mr.. Rover however. contends that while
he did take some part In trying To
bring about the nomination OF Champ
Clark. for the presidency, he has never
been active IN politics, but has con-
sidered himself a Republican for some
years. To SubStantiate this, friends of
Mr. Rover have informed the President
that he was active in 1924 in the inter
est of the Republican ticket
Mention ]. l.. Smith.
Besides MIR. Proctor. who has the
unanimous support OF the members of
the Republican State committee for the
District of Columbia. the accredited Re-
publican organization IN the District,
another prominent candidate for this
place is John Lewis Smith, who. like
Mr.. Proctor. Is a former assistant
United States attorney and who Is
past national commander of the Span
iSh War Veterans The White House
has been advised by some of the local
leaders that Mr.. Smith
would be their second choice
The position Of the President in this
matter has been represented as being
that of wanting 20 obtain the services
of the best qualified man for this place
and that. while he would prefer to APP
point one who is Republican, politics
would not stan IN his way,
Mr Coolidge mas reason to know that
the local Republicans are banking heaV-
lily ON receiving the appointment Tor
Mr. Proctor He has heard complaints
to the effect that the party leaders IN
the District have been dlSpleaSed Tor
seme time with the lack OF PATRONAGE
their organization has received during
MIR. Coolidge'S administration, ThoSe
close to the President feel, however, that
while he viii try To land 4 Republican
for this place. he has no intention OF
appointing any one unless he feels
4. a. -.