Evening star., 1940-03-16
Speculation Centers
On Choice Of New
Police Judge
Nominations Of Currun
As U. S. Attorney, Pine
As Justice Luuded

As Justice Louded
Speculation centered today around
q successor to Police Court Judge
Edward M. Curran as subcommit-
tee of the Senate Judiciary Com
mittee had before it the nomination
of Judge Curran as United States
attorney and United States Attorney
David A. Pine as justice of the Dis
trict Court.
With confirmation of the two
confidently expected. political mind
ed Washington cast its eyes on those
prominently mentioned to fill the
Police Court vacancy at an annual
salary of $1,000. The appointment
will be for six years.
Members of the subcommittee ex-
pected to act shortly on the two
nominations, sent to the Senate yes
terday by President Roosevelt, are
Senators King, Democrat, of Utah;
McCarran, Democrat, of Nevada,
and Austin, Republican, of Vermont.
High praise for the appointments
was voiced by civic leaders of WASH
ington, who were keenly gratified
that q native son had been named
to the bench of District Court and
that a man who has spent all his
adult. life here was appointed prose-
cutor.
Four Prominently Mentioned.
Although political leaders felt it
was bit early for boom for Judge
Curran's successor to assume major
proportions, Judiciary Square hum
med with talk of candidates.
Among those who have been
prominently mentioned for the post
are Assistant United States Attor-
neys Karl Kindleberger and David
A. Hart and Assistant Corporation
Counsels Milton Norman and George
Nelson, all stationed at Police Court
The appointment is'eXpected to be
made almost Immediately following
Judge Curran's resignation, since a
full staff of four judges is essential
to the smooth operation of the court.
Among those voicing qualification
with the appointments of Mr.. Pine
and Judge Curran were Francis w.
Hill, jr., and Seton Darr, president
and former president, respectively,
of the District Bar Association,
which had backed Mr.. Pine for the
judgeship.
"The appointments are certain to
meet with general approval" Mr..
Hill said. "Mr. Pine is a man of
outstanding ability and Judge Cur
ran is well qualified for the position
as district attorney"
Darr Lauds Choice.
Mr.. Darr pointed to their IA
miliarity with Washington judicial
procedure and said that "every
Washingtonian should be grateful
to the President and Attorney Gen.
eral for the appointment Of local
men,"
Harry N. Stull, president of the
Federation of Citizens Associations,
said he was highly pleased with Mr..
Pines appointment, since the Fed
Grafton, while not going on record
for any one candidate, had urged
that local man be named to fill the
vacant court post.
John Clagett Proctor, acting presi-
dent of the Association of Oldest In
habitants, said he was highly
pleased" with the nominations. The
association had Endorsed Mr.. Pine.
| Satisfaction Expressed.
Spared A. Wood, president of the
Citizens Forum of Columbia
Heights, expressed the satisfaction
of his organization with the nomi-
nation of Mr.. Pine.
I'VE are particularly glad to hear
Of this appointment" he said, ex-
planning the group was acquainted
with Mr.. Pines personal qualifica-
tions, had been urging naming OF
Washingtonian to the bench and
felt the district attorneys expe-
rience with local laws and procedure
would make him q more efficient
jurist than a man unequipped with
such background.
As the Senate subcommittee pre-
pared to consider the appointments
at an early date, former Repre-
sentative Hoeppel, Democrat, OF
; California, whom Mr.. Pine prose-
cuted on charges of selling q West
Point appointment, made public a
letter he wrote to Chairman Ashurst
i Of the Senate Judiciary Committee
asking to be heard in protest against