Show I Ritter Hitter Recommended i As Federal Judge I Friday lost last Senator Elbert Thomas made it known that he had recommend recommend- recommended ed appointment of Willis W. W flitter RItter as federal district Judge for Utah I Mr Ritter Is now a Salt Lake Lako lawyer If appointed and confirmed by the senate ho he would succeed Judge Judge- Tillman D. D Johnson who retired May 28 at the tho age of 91 01 He was the oldest Judge in years on the federal bench hench In Sundays Sunday's Tribune an editorial was published which we republish as it expresses tho the opinion of all former and present friends of ot Mr Ritter The selection of Willis Wf W. W Ritter of Salt Lake Lako City to fill the vacancy on tho federal bench caused by the recent retirement of Judge Tillman D. D John John- Johnson Johnson Johnson son meets with general approval In this state and city It was based on the personal indorsement of or Senator Elbert D. D Thomas who although confronted with a difficult responsibility of ot Indicating IndicatIng indicating ing a preference among distinguished Jurists and attorneys under consideration tion made a choice which in the opinion opInIon opinIon ion of The Salt Lake Tribune Is both wise and commendable Tho The position of or United States district Judge for Utah is an nn- Important one Historically politically and legalistically It holds great significance and the oc occupant oc- oc occupant of the federal bench in this locality must of necessity be chosen with prudence and care That Mr Ritter has lias the Intellectual and Judicial talents re required re- re required required for this particular post appears to be bo well established both by his past achievements and his future ties First of all as his sponsor Senator Thomas pointed out to President Tru Tru- Truman Truman man roan Mr Ritter Is la a man of the west a son of oV native western parents His father was WIlS born in Nevada and his mother saw the first light of day at the famous military outpost of Utah Fort Douglas He was born in Salt Lake City January 24 1899 1890 but grew up and re received re- re received received his primary education in the mining town of Park City Mr Ritter began his higher education I at the University of at Utah and later re received re- re received received his degree at the University i of Chicago law school where he graduated graduated I cum cuni laude He received his doctor doctor- doctorate doctorate doctorate ate degree at Harvard He is a member of two honorary scholastic schola tic societies Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi He first became associated with the University University University sity of Utah law faculty in 1926 and has been connected with that school for tor the i past 22 years He has practiced law in Chicago Washington D. D C. C and here in I Salt Lake I I I I j I l I j I I i I But Mr Ritters Ritter's academic career careen does not represent all nIl facets of his life His early days days' in Park City were spent as a 11 laborer la In the mines and mills of that area where he ho earned the money for his later education He served as a a. private in the United States army during the first world war and was offered a ma ma- majors major's maJors maJor's majors major's jors jor's commission in World War II an an honor which he was forced to decline because of other duties Mr Ritter not only Is endowed with an exceptionally fine legal mentality but he possesses a 11 Judicial temperament as well He commands commands' the respect of the bar with which he is associated As an educator Mr flitter Ritter has had countless contacts with the coming generation of lawyers as well as associations as as- a a. practicing attorney with the more mature members of his profession The Tho Salt Lake Tribune takes this oc occasion oc- oc occasion casion to commend Senator Thomas on his excellent choice for tor this Important I political post in Utah and expresses the hope for early and favorable action I |