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55 Com. L. J. 290 (1950)
Judge Frederick L. Siddons, Ninth President of the League

handle is hein.journals/clla55 and id is 296 raw text is: Judge Frederick L. Siddons, Ninth President of the League MORRIS WEISMAN (of the Philadelphia Bar) Historian and Vice-President of the League, Chairman, Associate Editors F REDERICK L. SIDDONS used to say that because he was born in London, England, and, therefore, was ineligible for the Presidency of the United States, he would have to be contented with the second best office: Chief Executive of the Commercial Law League of America. And though he became President of the League in 1903, he was destined for higher office. In 1915, President Woodrow Wilson appointed him to the Supreme Bench of the District of Columbia. His parents brought him to America when he was fourteen and the family settled in Washington. Sid- dons, who received his early education at home, matriculated at the Old Columbian University, now George Washington University. He was graduated in June, 1887, and a few days later, was admitted to the bar of the District of Columbia. As a young attorney, Siddons revealed an atten- tion to detail which in some is the mark of incompe- tency, in others of superiority. The difference lies in an ability to choose between the petty and the important. He attracted the attention of Jackson H. Ralston, who correctly appraised Siddons' endow- ments and possibilities. They formed the partnership of Ralston & Siddons. Ralston, whose ability and bents were antithetical to Siddons, went here and there in behalf of the firm, while Siddons kept the home fires stoked and burning. The firm prospered. When Ralston received a streamlined invitation from William C. Sprague-Meet Me At Detroit August 15-17, 1895, Commercial Law Convention- he naturally decided to go, but an unexpected, last minute involvement forced a change in his plans. In his place he sent Norman R. Metcalf, a young associ- ate, who proved to be the only delegate from Wash- ington. Sprague appointed him a member of the com- mittee that drafted the Constitution and By-Laws of the League and asked E. K. Sumerwell to intro- duce him generally to the other delegates. Metcalf returned to Washington, enthusiastic about the new organization. He filled Ralston with excitement and the latter joined the League. In 1896, Ralston attended the Second Convention of the League and became interested in the report of the League's Committee on Judiciary. Presented by Elbert C. Ferguson, of Chicago, the report contained recommendations for uniform legislation throughout the United States, and to further this work a perma- nent Committee on Legislation was appointed. It proved to be the League's most important committee and each year it presented a comprehensive report, replete with documented data, manifestly the result .)or of intense research. There was an acute and crying need for remedial legislation-and indubitably a native of Washington was best qualified to secure the enactment of new laws! In 1898 Ralston was ap- pointed Chairman of this Committee. Ralston prepared an excellent report for presenta- tion at the next scheduled Convention at Asbury Park, but the moving fingers of fate wrote other orders. As special counsel for the United States in the celebrated Pious Fund Case, Ralston had to appear before the Arbitration Court at Hague, just prior to the Convention. That case involved a claim for mil- lions of dollars against Mexico for its seizure of Roman Catholic Church lands during that country's rule over California. Before sailing, Ralston prevailed upon the unwill- ing Siddons to attend the Convention and present the Report of the Committee on Legislation. Though he was a first attender, Siddons, as Ralston's partner. was given the privilege of presenting the important Report and he distinguished himself, scoring a per- sonal triumph which catapulted him to unexpected prominence. Meanwhile, Ralston won fame and fortune at The Hague. A rare linguist, he delivered his technical argument in eloquent French and won the case. The Court decreed that Mexico should pay the United States $1,420,682.68 for annuities in arrears and thereafter $43,050.99 annually. It took a railroad train to bring the money back in silver dollars in which it was paid, says H. Winship Wheatley, who was associated with the firm at the time. Siddons now became a regular Convention at- tender. In 1900, he was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions and his intelligence and outstanding competence were confirmed. In 1902 he was named First Vice-President of the League and the following year became President. -III The noisy but ephemeral characteristic of the year of 1903 was a flood of exposes which surprised and shocked the less hardened citizenry of that time. Thus, President Theodore Roosevelt, who had proclaimed his square deal, whirled his big stick for reform and progress. Ida M. Tarbell disclosed the faults and repre- hensible practices of the Standard Oil Company. Lin- coln Steffens, muckraking for McClures, showed up the shame and corruption of city government. The epochal news of the year passed virtually unnoticed: among the sand dunes, at Kitty Hawk, North Caro- r rkA r I A I I A W -I I I RP 'J A I

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