Evening star., 1953-10-06
The Political Mill
No Politics Tradition
Of Court Is Held Fast
Bench's Dignity Maintained
As Warren Takes the Oath
BY Gould Lincoln


The Supreme Court sticks to tradi-
ton. Chief Justice Earl Warren, four
teenth in the line of Chief Justices of
the United States, took the oath of Office
in. historic ceremony-minuS televi-
sion, moving pictures, radio and photog-
rapherS. There was silence in the Su-
preme Court chamber-even when
President Eisenhower entered to witness
the ceremony which placed formally his
most important appointee in Office. No
applause greeted the new Chief Justice
in fact, there was no applause at any
time.
The Supreme Court chamber was
packed with spectators. Leaders of the
bar, high officials of the Government,
including Vice President Nixon and
members of the cabinet helped to fill
every available seat in the massive,
high-vaulted chamber, when the nine
black-robed members of the court en-
tered. The solemnity of the occasion
vas Immediately apparent.
The new Chief Justice, always an
Impressive figure, in his black robe
heightened still further that impression.
In full, resonant voice, he took the
oath of office and Immediately began
the task Of presiding over the court
which has pending cases of major i'm
portance to the country. He is the
second Republican appointed to the
Supreme Court in more than 20 years.
The first was Associate Justice Har-
old C. Burton, appointed by former
President Truman, who as Senator
hEiccOI1ri hod EVny1y1o
md admired the then Senator Burton
# Ohio.
No Politics.
No politics is another tradition of
the Supreme Court. Certainly, in the
case of the new Chief Justice the ira
dition will be preserved. This not
withstanding the fact that Chief JUS
tice Warren was three times elected
as Republican Governor of California.
that he was three times candidate for
a Republican presidential nomination,
and that he was nominated, as Re-
publican, for Vice President in 1948. He
has been described by Gen. Eisenhower
as a man of great integrity-and this
reputation foreran Chief Justice War;
ren's appointment all across the Ma
UlOII I1lO P4A1AOSOPI1y 10 VI WIG
road" the President said in further
description. This does not mean, how
ever, the Chief Justice is not a man
of firm convictions. He is. His de-
cisionS and his administration of the
Court will be based on the Constitution
and the law-not on politics.
Warren Well Liked.
The appointment of Chief Justice
Warren has been received with wide
approval. In some quarters there are
lingering regrets that the President
had not selected an eminent jurist or
an outstanding leader of the bar. The
Chief Justice, however, had II years
experience as district attorney, as at
torney general of his State-and then
IL years as Governor, during which
many legal problems came before him.
His legal experience, therefore, qualities
him for the bench. The added facts
that the country knows the former
California Governor and has confidence
in him lifts the appointment out OF
the realm of politics.
The Chief Justice succeeds the late
Fred M. VinSon, Democrat, who to
an unusual degree held the affection
and high regard of Gen. Eisenhower.
a personal friend of long standing.
Associate Justice Hugo L. Black, who
as senior membor of the court, presided
at the opening of session yesterday.
recorded the sorrow of the court grow
ing out of Chief Justice Wilson'S death
less than month ago. "His colleagues
of this court" Mr.. Justice Black said,
respected him for his integrity and
ability They loved him for his kind
ness, sympathy, understanding and fair
ness" 1t is in the cards that the men,
bers of the court will come to have a
similar estimate of and feeling for the
new Chief Justice.