Evening star., 1938-01-19
LAWS WINS CLOSE
RACE TO HEAD BAR
Defeats Gertman by Only IS
VoteS-Hogan Doomed
as National President,

In one of the closest elections in its
history the District Bar Association
yesterday chose Bolitha J. Laws as its
president for the ensuing year.
When the election results were an
nounced last night at the Mayflower
Hotel the victorious 46-year- candi-
date led his veteran adversary,
George C. Gertman, by only IS votes.
Ballots cast totaled 93l. the greatest
number on record and l80 more than
last year Mr. Laws polled 470 as
against ass for Mr.. Gertman, who has
served the association as secretary for
many years. Mr.. Laws has been treas
urer for the last two years.
The new president was named as a
candidate by the associations Nomi-
mating Committee without his solicita-
ton.
Native Of District.
He was born, raised and educated in
the District. In 1913 he was graduated
from Georgetown Law School and en-
cept for periods when he was in the
Government service has been in the
active practice Of law in Washington
since. For II years he has been in law
partnership with Paul S. Cromelin.
For six years he was in the office of
the United States attorney. serving
under Clarence r. Wilson. a Repub-
lican, and John E. Laskey, a Demo-
crat.
He served successively for two years
each in the positions of special assist
ant to the Attorney General and as
slstant general counsel of the United
States Shipping Board. resigning the
latter office in 1922 to enter private
practice.
A member of the Grievance Commit
tee for nine years, he has been its
chairman for five years.
He is member of the Maryland and
New York bars, the American Bar
Association. the Barristers Club. the
Lions Club, the National Press Club
and the Congressional Country Club
and the Masons.
Election Made Una nimous.
Following the announcement OF his
election. Mr. Gertman moved that it
be made unanimous and it was 50
voted.
The race for the two vice presiden.
cies also was close. The successful
candidates were Godfrey L. Munter,
first vice president. and James R.
Kirkland. They received 47O and 46O
votes. respectively.
Wilbur L. Gray was reelected secre-
tary without opposition. and Francis
w. Hill, jr.. was unopposed for Mr.,
Laws vacated post of treasurer.
Charles S. Baker was chosen from
a field of three to serve on the board
OF directors for one year, and John
j. Carmody, Joseph T. Sherier and
Robert F. Cogswell were chosen from
among nine candidates for two-year
terms on the board
The meeting brought forth the first
public mention OF a movement to elect
Frank ]. Hogan. long regarded as one
OF the leaders of the local bar, as the
next president of the American Bar
Association. The District association
unanimously indorsed him for the post
At the same time it was announced
that George Maurice Morris, also of
Washington and chairman of the
American Bar Associations house of
delegates, would not run for the presi-
dency Of the national organization.
He had been prominently mentioned
as a presidential possibility, and was
lauded by the District association
Tor his decision, which was said to be
motivated partly by a desire to give
Mr.. Hogan as clear field as possible.
On motion of Walter M. Bastian.
former president of the local associa-
ton, the lawyers voted to instruct their
delegates to work for Mr.. Hogan's
nomination and election.
After considerable debate, a motion
to authorize the hiring Of two attor-
neys to conduct the Municipal Court
legal aid work formerly done by VOL
unteers was adopted. Various speak
ers urged the members not to shirk
their social duty of helping the indi-
gent.
Austin F. Garfield, chairman of the
Police Court Grievance Committee, an
nounced he would file another charge
with the court today Six similar
charges against lawyers and bonds
men already have been made Still
more, probably two or three, will be filed
next week, he said. then announcing
his resignation from the committee.
He said he was convinced many
vicious practices" have been stopped.