New Britain herald., 1930-02-11
HUGHES CONSIDERS
 OFFICE IMPORTANT
Will Be Oldest Chief Justice But
 Colleague Is Older

Washington, Feb. II (UP)-The chief justice Of the United States is the most important judicial officer in the world" according to Charles Evans Hughes, shortly to assume that office.
 In the oft-quotpd words Of the supreme Court's doorman there ain't no appeal from this cote, 'ccpt 10 Almighty God
 And Hughes. lawyers lawyer. former associated justice. oH-sovor. nor Of New York. and uusuccoss- ful candidate for tho presidency. will assume tho heavy black robes of the courts chieftain February -t Sgnare confirmation Of President Hooycr's nomination Of Hughes to replace William Howard Taft is Nir- 'uaIy certain.
 The power and influence of the court runs far into future genera lions, beyond the passing fancics and policies of political parties. The chief justice is one vote among nine, but his administrative duties pro- vide an unparalleled opportunity for making his policies felt in the na- tons always-chaugin system of "soycrumcnt by laws.'
 Decisions Arc Law
 The supreme cOurts decisions are law, and tho courts rules guide every legislative body ill the nation. and some outside. The Pope Of Rome in an cncyclcal the other day, cite da supreme court decision. Hughes himself once said:\
 The spirit Of tic work or the su- prcmc court pcrmcates every lcgis- l5tive assembly and every important discussion Of reforms by legislative action. Wn largely subject our poll tical thinking 10 the conception ot law. The supreme court is the cm- bodiment Of our conception of our law, the eXcmplar of it's applica tion."
 The court, presided over by the SS-ycar- old Oliver Wendell Holmes acting chief justice, is now in re- cess working on pending cases, SC Hughes probably will not take the oath of office until it reconvcnes Feb. 24, and not until then will his $20.5o0 salary start.
 This salary is probably only a fraction of the annual fees he Ina. received since he resigned as secre. tary Of state in 1925 and took UT again the practice of law. It i, only $500 more than each of hi, , eight associates receives. But tn, official and social prestige of hr hcadship places him above his as sociatcs
 The chief justice socially Quarrcl' with the vice president and tn, speaker of the house for the ranl next 10 the president. The cXecu tive, legislative and judicial branche are coordinate and mutually indo pendent, in law, but ranking can not be made to coufQrm to the con stitution at formal dinners. I'o many years the chief justice rank cd with the speaker. until the tim of Uncle Joe" Cannon who rofue cd 10 attend one of President Moose vclt's formal dinners because th chief justice was to sit ahead O him. Since then the chief justic, he speaker. and the vice president have not been invnod 10 ;hc sam dinners. It cdrrics out the spirit o the constitution
 Is Oldest Chief Justice
 Hughes will be the eleventh chic justice. He will he the oldest ma ever to assume that office.
 An unofficial duty" of consider able interest that go' with lIughc, new job is that of attracting tn thousands of tourists who visit tn capitol daily. The capitol guide hope that with his imposing for, head and famous hushy beard. neat ly parted in the middle, and h famous almost-succcss ssfGl prcsid,r tial campaign in 1916, Hughes wi prove as successful as Chief Justic Taft was
 The appointment however, wi remove Hughes almost complctc from the frequent contacts with Il public which he has enjoyed in r, cent years.
 The strength of his character, h originality his ability 10 express h ideas, and the length Of his life V. determine the weight which he wi have on the great stream of Ia which issues from the suprcn court.
 Hughes Is in good health, al should have at lcut len years active life ahead The oldest ma ever 10 sit on thc supreme bcne Oliver Wendell Holmes, is now vars older than hr, and Hu or of the most vigorous 1ehtrrs on n bench,
 The two mooes Of Mars a tln1p.I f, I.,. y..s 4. .r from