Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-07-14
APPROVAL Of NEW
JUDGES FORECAST
Hearing on Nominations De-
veIopS Complaint Against
Aukam.

Action is expected to be taken early
this week on the four pending local
judgeship nominations, following a
public hearing yesterday afternoon
before a Senate subcommittee, at
which testimony was heard for and
against reappointment of Judge George
c. Aukam of the Municipal Court.
No witnesses appeared against the
reappointment Of Judge Nathan Cay
ton of the Municipal Court, nor against
the two new appointees, Walter j.
Casey, to be Police Court judge, and
Miss Ellen K. Raedy, to be a Munich
pal Court Judge Senator King, DEM
ocrat, Of Utah, who presided, said he
had one letter inquiring whether Miss
Raedy has practiced the required five
years. Miss Raedy testified she has
practiced seven years.
At the outset of the meeting Chair
man King said the Judiciary Commit
tee had been polled and had consented
to favorable report on the four nom
nations. Following receipt of several
letters, he said, it had been decided to
hold a hearing. At the close of the
hearing Chairman King said he would
confer with Senator Borah, Repub-
lican, of Idaho, the other member Of
the subcommittee, before taking &C
ton.
ImpartiaIity Questioned.
Two witnesses appeared against
Judge Aukam, one contending he is
not always impartial and the other
describing the Judge as arbitrary.
Later two other witnesses appeared in
favor of Judge Aukam and commend
ed his record.
One of the opponents, W. E. Ryan
complained of Judge Aukam's de-
ciSion in damage suit about -four
years ago, in which Ryan was the
plaintiff and which was decided
against him. He raised the question
as to whether the judge is impartial
Judge Aukam testified he based his
decision on rule laid down by the
Court of Appeals in similar accident
case, involving the question of wheth-
er a street car had been stopped OF
started with an unusual jerk.
The other complainant was Attor-
ney John H. Connaughton, who ex-
pressed the opinion that, on the
bench, Judge Aukam 'is inclined t1
be not only judge, but lawyer for both
sides" He contended the judge some
times takes the examination of wit
nesses out of the hands of the lawyers
The witness said he knew nothing
against the judges integrity, but re-
garded him as arbitrary.
Cites Little Opposition.
Testifying In support of Judge
Aukam, Attorney Francis w. Hill, jr.
said a tremendous number of cases
are tried in Municipal Court, ano
added I'm view of the number Of
cases heard there, it is rather a COM
pliment that so few are protesting.
Assistant District Attorney Henry A
Schweinhaut also told the subcom-
mittee he had high regard for Judge
Aukam. Judge Aukam told the sub
committee he has never consciously
done any one a wrong in deciding
cases in his court.
Chairman King questioned the two
new appointees - Miss Raedy an6
Casey-aS to their experience. Miss
Raedy said she has lived in Washing
ton all her life and has been practic-
ing law since 1928. She said part Of
the time her practice was before Gov
eminent departments. that she has
also practiced in local courts and as
sisted in preparation of cases for con-
sideration in District Supreme Court
and the Court of Appeals.
Data Revelation Protested.
One other witness, S. p. Hoffman
an official of the Washington Daily
Record, Inc, complained of the pro-
cedure in Municipal Court in making
available data on cases tried there.
Hoffman had filed a brief contending
that the court allows one of the clerks,
Robert Rollins, to prepare and furnish
to subscribers a record of court cases
in competition with private concerns
Judges Aukam and Cayton con-
tended this data is assembled after
court hours. Judge Aukam said 1t
cannot be assembled during the day
and that If the present arrangement
were discontinued some one would
have to be employed to supervise
preparation of the data. Judge Cay
ton expressed the view the clerk has
no greater advantage than others.
Senator King suggested that the
judges give further study to the sub
ject raised in Hoffman's brief.
Indications are the four nomina-