The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-09
Owen ROBERTS
/. IS NAMED TO
HIGHEST COURT
Nomination by Hoover Ex.
peCted to Bring No
Contest.
PROSECUTED OIL CASES
Work in Naval Scandal
Suits Won Favor in
U. S. Senate.
PROSECUTED OIL CASES

Bu United Press
WASHINGTON, May 9.-The
nomination of Owen j. Roberts of
Philadelphia, prosecutor of the
naval oil cases, to be associate JUS
tice of the United States supreme
court was sent to the senate today
by President Hoover.
The nomination was made almost
exactly forty-e eight hours after the
senate rejected Judge John j.
Parker of North Carolina for this
post.
In selecting Roberts the Presi-
dent reached into the front rank of
the American bar for a man whose
attachments as a private lawyer
and whose prosecution Of the Tea
pot Dome cases has won him the
highest legal standing.
The arguments of Roberts before
the supreme court on the naval
oil cases are regarded as technical
masterpieces in the profession, and
won the commentator of insurgent
Republicans who chiefly were re-
sponSible for the recent defeat of
Judge Parker.
Speak Well of Roberts
His confirmation is anticipated
with little delay although Dem
ocratic senator's, while generally
speaking we'll of Roberts, reserved
judgment until they have further
studied his record. Among these
were Democratic Leader Robinson
and Senator Dill dem, WaSh).
Dill recalled that at the time
Roberts was chosen government
counsel in the oil cases, the senate
had made thorough investigation
of his record, looking for man
with q free and unprejudiced
mind"
I'VE found nothing to indicate he
was not Of a free mind and nct
vigorous prosecutor" Dill said.
Where he stands on the great
questions that have been stirring the
senate, don't know"
Republican senators were en-
thusiastic over Roberts appoint
ment.
Il am delighted" Senator Reed
(Rep., Pa said.
Splendid" and excellent" were
adjectives applied to the appoint
ment by Senators Vandenberg (Rep.,
MichO and Allen (Rep., KAN, re-
spectively.
A Fine appointment
at is fine appointment, but
don't know what they will find out
about him." Senator Jones (Rep.,
Wash.) said. Probably he has
represented some of those wicked
corporations" he added sarcastic
ally.
Chairman Norris of the senate
judiciary committee and Senator
Borah (Rep., Idaho, who led The
fight against Parker, declined to
comment upon the report solely
because they are members of the
judiciary committee which must
consider the nomination.
The committee will meet Monday
to consider the appointment, Nor
ris said.
His practice in Philadelphia has
been largely corporation practice,
and he ranks as one of the out
standing lawyers of the country.
However, any opposition which
might have developed because Of his
corporation practice has long since
been dissolved by his handling of
the prosecution of Albert B. Fall,
former secretary of internior, E. l..
Doheny and Harry F. Sinclair in the
oil cases.
His arguments Of these cases be-
fore the supreme court have become
classics in the legal profession.
Won Bribery Case
Though he lost the jury con-
spiracy trials against Doheny and
Sinclair, he won his bribery case
against Fall and won all civil cases
to dissolve the oil leases.
In these decision the United
States supreme court upheld his
contention of fraud in some of the
most emphatic language ever to
emanate from the highest bench.
Roberts was SIS, a week ago today.
He was born in Philadelphia.
Soon after starting practice he
became first assistant district at
torney for Philadelphia county, and
assistant professor of law at the
University of Pennsylvania.
He is a director of numerous large
corporations in Philadelphia, in
Guiding the Bell Telephone Com
pany and the Equitable Life AS