Evening star., 1939-10-24
Natives |ndorse
Pine for judge;
Laws Concurs
Jurist Offers Plan
To Seek Offices
For Worthy Men

~S"o @AooOAAACy Lawn "A. 1lllc 1OI
appointment as justice in District
Court, the Society of Natives last
night heard Justice Bolitha j. Laws
approve the Endorsement of Mr..
Pine, but lay down a three-point
program by which he predicted the
District of Columbia might be able
to get additional worthy Washing
tonians appointed to high places of
public responsibility.
The society unanimously indorsed
Mr.. Pine with high praise at its
first meeting of the fall season at the
Continental Hotel. Action was taken
on a resolution presented by Fred
erick G. Umhau, treasurer of the
society.
Justice Laws told the society that
In his opinion there were certain
weaknesses in the movements here,
which he SAID often made insistent
claims for appointment of local men
or women, without sufficient care in
selection of nominees for merit.
Urges Followup.
Three things he recommended
would be helpful to Washington,
while waiting for suffrage to help
improve its voteless condition. He
proposed organizations and people
be more careful in selecting candi-
dates who are worthy, even if they
have drafted them. Sincerity in
making Endorsements should be more
general, he warned, expressing the
opinion that too many leading citi-
zens had been lending their support
to candidates who were running a
campaign. Finally he recommended
that men appointed to high Office
from the District should not only
struggle to make good, but should
be followed up by the public to see
that they did make good. Such a
three point course, the justice sug-
gested, would result in more SYM
pathetic response from the ap-
pointive powers.
Carefully avoiding the mention of
any names in his criticism and ex-
planning that his structures were
based on long experience and con-
siderable thought given the prob
lem, Justice Laws. who is a native
Washingtonian, spoke to his fellow
natives frankly.
He lntimated plainly there was
something the matter with our sys-
tem,' because so few District citi-
zens were named to high places. He
praised the ability of many out
standing public servants appointed
to District posts from outside the
city.
From his experience at being call
ed in on'investigation of candidates.
before appointment to the bench
himself, Justice Laws said he was
amazed at the types of persons be-
ing indorsed for Office by some of
our leading citizens" He intimated
that some Of these Endorsements
must have been given Just to "get
rid of the candidates.
Hits Blind Approval
Organizations who give "brainless
Endorsements just because some
candidate has thrown out a cam
paign and his friends insist on an
approval, without an investigation
came in for sharp criticism from
the justice.
Concerning suffrage, Justice Laws
said there was no logical argument
against it, but he estimated that it
may be years before the District
achieves suffrage. In the meantime,
he said, new approach to the prob
lem OF getting local qualified men in
public office might we'll be worked
out to improve conditions.
The District of Columbia, he said,
has produced many excellent"
public officers, particularly Com
mlssloners, most often when men
were put up for Office not because
they were applicants" for the jobs,
but because they we're men who
have suffered themselves to be put
forward"
Often, declared the Gurist, the best
fitted men will not permit their
names to 60 up against "brainless
Endorsements" from so many sources.
Praises Pine as Able.
Justice Laws praised Mr.. Pine
as man of liability, energy, a
man who has proved his stuff"
When you indorse him." the jur-
1st told the society, you start off
on the right foot"
Justice Laws was introduced with
praise from William E. Richardson,
former president of the society.
The resolution indorsing Mr..
Pine was ordered sent not only to
President Roosevelt, but also to At
torney General Murphy and to Mr..
Pine himself.
Pointing out that natives of the
District felt that "some recognition
should be accorded them in selec-
tlons and appointments to Office
local in character" the resolution
said: I'VE feel that our nominee is
a lawyer of the highest integrity and
ability and possesses the judicial
temperament necessary to fair and
impartial administration of Justice:
that he has demonstrated his ability
by the successful manner in which
he has conducted 4he Office of the
United States attorney for the Dis
trict OF Columbia, which he has held
for a number of years, and is, there
fore fully qualified to fill the position
OF judge with high honor"
Maurice Rosenberg, attorney,
president of the Bank of Commerce
and Savings, said the appointment
over a year ago of Justice Laws, a
native Washingtonian, emphasizes
the resolution we have just passed."
Amendments Proposed.
John M. Howard, first vice presi-
dent Of the society and chairman of
the Membership Committee, pro-
posed two amendments to the by
laws to facilitate a membership
M