Evening star., 1931-06-19
JUSTICE S|DDONS
EXPIRES SUDDENLY
Attack of Acute Indigestion
Causes Death of Noted
Capital JuriSt.
Continued From First page.>

NNOhOAAAdCo AoV oSS'J
what we are told from rather high
authority is the life of man, three score
years and ten, perhaps longer. is before
us. But tomorrow, next week, he is
dead and in the ground. Suffered one
Of these attack Unexpectedly, of no
known origin, and he has left. That
happens. We all know it. Men and
women, the picture of health, lived
well, presumably healthy, never subject
to illness cf any kind, caught cold
now and then, today bubbling over with
fine health. tomorrow. next week, are
in the casket laid away"
When Mr.. Hoover completed his re-
marks, Chief Justice Wheat ordered
court adjourned until Tuesday.
Justice Siddons celebrated his sixty
sixth birthday anniversary on NoVem-
Der 81. He had been in good healtn
of late, from all outward appearances.
It Is known he was much affected by
the sudden death of Charles F. Carusl,
with whom he had been associated in
the conduct of National University.
Several weeks ago he presided at
memorial service for Mr.. Carusi.
Nameo to Court in 1915.
Appointed to the District Supreme
CourI- in 1915, Justice Siddons had
made a brilliant record on the bench.
One of his notable decisions was his
so-called family car" opinion, in
which he held that the head Of a
family is responsible for his son or other
members Of the family who operate the
family automobile" This decision
stood the test of appeals in the higher
courts.
Justice Siddons was prominent as an
educator He was senior member OF
the faculty Of the Law School of Ma
tional University. to which he was first
appointed 80 years ago. He was pro-
fessor of constitutional law and of law
of evidence. Recently he presided at
the annual commencement ceremonies of
the university in Memorial Continental
Hall.
His first public post Of prominence
was that of District Commissioner, to
which he was appointed in 1918 by
President Wilson. At that time he
was member of the law firm of Rails
ton, Siddons & Richardson. He always
was active in civic affairs Of the COM
munity.
Born in London.
Born in London, England, November
81, 1864, of American parents, Justice
Siddons was a great-grandson of the
famous English actress, Sarah Siddons.
He came to America at the age Of
10 and had been q resident of the
District of Columbia since 1878.
He received his early education at
home. He studied law at the old Co
lumbar (now George Washington
University, receiving his bachelor and
master degrees in 1887.
After graduation he was employed
for several years in the Treasury De-
partment, later beginning the private
practice of law. He served at one time
as one of the commissioners on uni
form State laws for the District of Co.
lumbia and was member of the Com
mittee of the National Divorce Con-
gress which framed a uniform divorce
law for the various States.
He was a member Of counsel in the
noted "Pious fund case which was
first tried at The Hague International
Court. He was also one of the counsel
for the commission sent by Aguinaldo
TO this country to seek recognition of
the Philippine leaders government.
Prominent in Civic Work.
His interest IN WaShlngton'S develop
ment led him to take q prominent part
In the creation Of the board for con-
demnation of insanitary buildings and
in the framing of the so-called loan
shark" legislation. He was chairman
of the Commission on Public Welfare
Legislation for the District of Columbia.
He was member of the District and
the American Bar Associations, the
Cosmos Club, the American Society of
International Law, the International
Law Association, Sigma Nu Phi fra
ternity and the Masonic order"
He had been active in the Monday
Evening Club and other organizations
for community service.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs.
Harriet G. Wan Auken) Siddons; a
son, Frederick P. H. Siddons, secretary
OF the American Security & Trust Co,
and daughter, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth
Lasher. The son is chairman of the
Convention Committee of the District
Bankers Association and was at the
bankers convention in Hot Springs, Va.
when notified of Justice Siddons' death.
He returned here today.