Evening star., 1939-03-21
Douglas Nomination
Is Held Certain Of
Speedy Approval
Speculation Arises
Over Successor us
Head Of S. E. G.
b the Associated Press,

b the Associated Press.
President Roosevelts nomination
OF William o. Douglas to succeed
Justice Louis D. Brandeis on the
Supreme Court appeared headed
today for speedy and overwhelming
Senate confirmation.
Although most Western Senators
expressed disappointment that some
one from their region was not chosen
none said specifically he would op-
pose the sandy-haired, 40-year-old
chairman of the Securities and Ex-
change Commission. Republican
Leader McNary joined Democratic
Leader Barkley in predicting quick
approval.
Representative Rankin, Democrat,
OF Mississippi said the appointment
probably would mean Mr.. Douglas
nomipation for President on the
Democratic ticket next year.
Speculation arose over the choice
Of new S. E. c. head. The remain
Ing commissioners are understood TO
feel that on this selection will de-
pend to a great extent whether the
agency will continue its active course
IN stock regulation and regional re-
organization of utilities holding
companies or whether, as one ad-
ministration adviser put it, there will
be trend ito the right"
Frank Is Mentioned.
Some well-informed persons said
Commissioner Jerome Frank, who
was reported planning to resign.
might be persuaded to stay on and
become chairman. These men also
proposed filling the vacancy on the
commission from the present staff.
= Among S. E. C. officials mentioned
as possibilities are Samuel o. Clark,
jr.. head of the Reorganization Divi-
sion; David Schenker. special coun-
sci for the investment trust study:
Chester Lane, general counsel, and
Abe Fortas, assistant director of the
Utilities Division.
Mr.. Roosevelt sent the Douglas
nomination to the Senate yesterday.
The Brandeis seat had been vacant
since February 13, when the re-
49, The new appointee is an admirer
Of Mr. Brandeis, whose picture hangs
oeside his desk at the S. E. G.
Lowers Average Age.
The appointment lowers the av-
erage age of the nine justices to 62
years. Less than two years ago,
just before Mr.. Roosevelt made his
first court appointment, it was a
little under 70 years.
Capitol politicians gave to Sem
ator Borah, Republican. of Idano,
credit for much of the spade work
that resulted in favorable recep-
tion for Mr. Douglas nomination.
Administration leaders argued
that to some extent the President
had needed the pleas of Western
Senators to select Westerner. Mr..
Douglas, born in Minnesota, spent
his formative years in Washington
State. He came East for his school
Ing in law and became professor of
law at Yale before he was appointed
to the S. E. c. in 1886.
Adams Is Disappointed.
Since 1928 his legal residence has
been Connecticut and Senator
Adams, Democrat of Colorado,
commenting on the nomination,
called Mr.. Douglas "a Western man
from Connecticut He described
Westerners generally as being
greatly disappointed
Westerners dominated the Judici-
ary Subcommittee selected to in
vestigate the nomination. Members
are Senators Hatch of New Mexico,
King of Utah, McCarran of Nevada,
Burke of Nebraska, OMahoney of
Wyoming. all Democrats, and DAN
aher of Connecticut and Borah, Re-
publicans.
All these, except possibly Senator
liking, were reported to favor con-
hrmation. Senator King said he
had an open mind"
Although friends said Mr.. Doug
las did not know yet when he would
leave the S. E. c., he already was
at work winding up his affairs.
This included turning over to
other commissioners information he
has gained from personal study of
utility holding companies, which it
was learned may result in hasten
Ing the process Of reorganization.
After he resigns, and until a sue
cessor is named, George c. Mathews
will be acting chairman.