Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-02-27
|ckes, Bidd|e
.Laud Margo|d
For Justiceship
Hearing Is Opened
On Promotion to
District Court Post

1
tee today to extol the legal qualifi-
cations of Municipal Court Judge
Nathan r. Margold, and to urge his
confirmation as a justice of District
| Court.
| Both Attorney General Biddle and
Secretary of the Interior Ickes ap-
peared before the three-man sub
committee, headed by Senator Nc
Carran, who is also chairman of the
full Judiciary Committee. Also
present IN support Of Judge Margold
were Solicitor General Charles Fahy
and Senator Chandler, Democrat, of
Kentucky, a Harvard classmate of
Judge Margold more than 20 years
ago.
Mr.. Biddle said he had only a
Imeager acquaintanceship with Judge
fMargold, but that an investigation
conducted by the Justice Depart
ment showed the jurist to be well
qualified for the higher bench.
Recommended by Biddle.
He is quiet, conservative and
we'll hammered" the Attorney Gen.
eral said. 1.-The appointment seems
to be most excellent one, and I
recommend his confirmation"
| Mr.. Biddle said he had personally
recommended Judge Margold for the
District Court vacancy. 1t had been
reported in some quarters that the
| appointment was urged on Presi-
dent Roosevelt by other high Gov
eminent officials over the objections
of Mr.. Biddle.
The Attorney General said he I'M
derstood Judge Margold had resigned
from the National Lawyers Guild
several years ago on the ground that
the guild was mot getting rid of
Communists fast enough"
Secretary Ickes described Judge
Margold as being equipped for the
District bench by temperament,
training and experience"
Ickes Peace Loving"
II don't know on what grounds any
one could object to Margold," the
Secretary said
At another point in his testimony
Mr.. Ickes said, Nobody ought to
hold Margold accountable for my
sins. I'll account for them myself
Mr.. Ickes told the committee he
was a very amiable and peace
loving man and I don't like fights"
Did you say you were?" Senator
McCarran asked.
Yes, was afraid you might not
realize it so I wrote it down here
Mr.. Ickes told the committee that
Judge Margold. when he was solic-
itor for the Interior Department,
showed unusual ability as a lawyer
and that of 158 cases contested dur
ing his tenure, only four were lost
by the department.
Fahy Cites Qualities.
Mr.. Fahy said he had known
Judge Margold for 10 years and
that he is convinced the jurist is
qualified for the proposed promo
ton. He described him as good
and kindly person, honest and
thoughtful
He is lawyer of fine education
and foundation" Mr.. Fahy said.
Persons who like him are numer-
Gus, but perhaps not so numerous
as If his temperament had been
different.
"A life's work should not be de-
stroyed because some one, some
where, can find fault."
Mr.. Fahy urged the subcommittee
to disregard the results of balloting
among members of the District Bar
Association, which recommended
rejection of Judge Margold by 804
to 200.
Il believe this ballot was unfair
and represented an attempt to mis-
lead you," he said. Il understand
about 300 members of the bar did
not vote at ALL"
Offers Long Brief.
Senator Chandler presented his
argument for Judge Margold whom
he continually described as my
friend" in 27-page printed brief
which it took him more than an
hour to read. He assailed what he
described as a vicious" campaign
being carried on against Judge Mar
gold by a handful of local lawyers
who never have had anything to
do with Judge Margold in court or
out"
Senator Chandler refuted the
story that Judge Margold is actually
a resident of Brooklyn and pointed
out that he has been living here
since 1888.
HE gave up his voting residence
in New York II years ago." Senator
Chandler said, "has invested all his
savings in local real estate, has
bought his own home here. ="
| The hearing room was crowded
with scores of local lawyers. The
hearing was adjourned shortly after
noon and will be resumed at 10 am.
| tomorrow.