Evening star., 1934-02-08

Miss Fay L. Bentley as successor to
Judge Kathryn Sellers on the District
Juvenile Court bench will be resumed
tomorrow at 10 am before sub
committee of the Senate Judiciary
Committee.
The subcommittee, composed OF
Senators King of Utah, Norris of Ne
braska and Logan of Kentucky, heard
more than a score of witnesses yes
terday, IA of whom strongly Endorsed
Senate confirmation Of Miss Bentley's
appointment. The others opposed
confirmation, contending that while
Miss Bentley is a member Of the Dis
trict bar, she lacks sufficient legal
training and experience to qualify as
a judge
Fitness Is Claimed.
Miss Bentleys supporters, however,
insisted that her knowledge OF child
psychology and ability to correct juve-
nile problems. coupled with her legal
knowledge, fitted her admirably for
the position,
Opponents of the appointment were
heard during the morning session and
in the afternoon there was cOntln-
uous parade of witnesses indorsing
Miss Bentley. When a recess was
taken. there were yet a number who
indicated they wanted to be heard.
The subcommittee has given no in
dication of its decision, but Senator
Logan pointed out that the Qualiflca-
tions of a Juvenile Court judge out
lined in the statutes would weigh
heavily on his conclusion. The prin-
cipal one is the requisite that the ap-
pointee be learned in the law"
Miss Bentley, Senator Logan de-
clared. has a law degree, but has never
actually practiced before the courts.
Whether that answers the qualiflca-
ton learned in the law" he explain
ed, is a question for the subcommittee
to determine.
Miss Bentley's strongest indorse-
ment came from Senator Copeland OF
New York, who said that during sew
eral years acquaintance he found her
TO be remarkably intelligent and in
formed"
Il am not impressed with argu-
fed because she has not had wide ex-
perience in the courts" he declared.
Il know her training and experience
will fit her admirably for the judge
ship"
Held Social Problem.
Senator Copeland pointed out he
had spent the last nine months in
vestigating crime conditions and had
discovered that juvenile delinquency
is the most important problem with
which the country has to deal
1t is amazing he declared, but
juvenile delinquency is not a legal but
a social problem and the best interests
of this community will be served by
the appointment of one who is social
Of familiar with the social
problems of children"
DR.. Frank w. Ballou. superinten-
dent of schools. also testified to Miss
Bentley's ability. He said he had
been in close association with her
during the nine years in which she
has been a director of the department
Of school attendance and work per-
mits, and had found her work to be
Of high order"
DR.. Ballou explained that he rec
Miss Bentley's appoint
nent as director of that department
because of her record of outstanding
in social service and
other works prior to 1925. He read
series of letters of recommendation as
% her qualifications on which he said
le based his action.
Miss Bentley in the last nine
years" he said, ''has lived up to the
Endorsements made of her in 1925"
Critics Experience.
Edward Martin, colored, of the Fra
ternal League of America, who said
he also represented number of other
opposed confirmation of Miss
B en- tley's appointment yesterday
afternoon. He argued she has not
had sufficient legal experience. Mar
tin also declared he has heard reports
she is hostile to the Negro group"
The suggestion that Miss Bentley is
prejudiced against colored people was
denied moment later by
Mrs. Mary Connor Myers, lawyer,
who said she has known Miss Bent
ey for a long time
Il am sure the previous witness
is entirely mistaken" said Mrs. Myers.
No one coming before Miss Bentley
would suffer because of race, sex
Or color"
Answering arguments of opponents
that Miss Bentley's legal experience
has been brief. Mrs. Myers said the
nominee had long desired to enter
Juvenile Court work, had taken up
aw with that end in view, and had
paid particular attention to that
phase of law in her studies. Mrs.
Myers said Miss Bentley never in
ended to practice law generally, and