The house of delegates of the American Bar Association has directed me to request the support of each presidential candidate for the principle set forth in the resolution adopted August 25, 1959), and which is as follows:
     Resolved, That the American liar Association urges the two great political parties to include in their respective platforms to be adopted at the 1960 national political conventions, the following platform plank
     Judiciary: A qualified and independent judiciary is indispensable to the maintenance of a coordinate branch of the Government under our Constitution and to the protection of the freedom and rights of every individual.
     We pledge that only the best qualified lawyers and judges available shall be selected for appointment to judicial office. We urge the adoption by the President of the United States of the principle that the number of judges in our Federal courts from each of the two major political parties should be approximately equal.
     Resolved further, That the special committee of nonpartisan selection of the Federal judiciary and the standing committee on Federal judiciary be authorized and directed to endeavor to secure the adoption of such plank at the 1960 national conventions;
     Resolved further, That the president of this association in 1960, after the nominations of the candidates for President of the United States by the two great political parties, be requested to seek a pledge from each candidate that, if elected, he will support the principles set forth in the first resolution.
     Another matter of concern to the American Bar Association is the future of the close relationship established between the Attorney General and the committee on the Federal judiciary. During the Truman and Eisenhower administrations the committee on the Federal judiciary of the American Bar Association has cooperated with the administration in the appointment of new Federal judges. Under this plan, names of potential appointees to vacancies are forwarded by the Attorney General to the American Bar Association committee. This committee then verifies the candidates' qualifications through a local inquiry. This program has worked well in the past and it is the hope of the American Bar Association that the next administration will pursue the same policy.
     It will be necessary for me to report to the house of delegates at the time of the annual meeting of the American Bar Association as to my compliance with the resolution. The 83d Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association will be in Washington, D.C., August 29 to September 2 inclusive. My report will probably be made to the house of delegates on Wednesday, August 31, 1960. It will, therefore, give me great pleasure if I can announce at the time of my report, not only that I have complied with the instructions inherent in the resolution by the writing of this letter, but also that you have accepted the principles that I have outlined.
     An affirmative declaration of the support of these principles, addressed to me, will be transmitted to the house of delegates and will be appreciated not only by this association but by all citizens of the United States.

Senator Kennedy replied as follows

     DEAR MR. RANDALL: I have your letter of August 12 concerning the resolution adopted by the American Bar Association urging the two political parties to include in their platforms a recommendation of the association regarding the Federal judiciary. As you know, this letter was received after both conventions had adjourned. However, I fully agree with the concept expressed in the resolution of "qualified and independent judiciary."
     The determination of the number of judges who are Republican and the number of judges who are Democratic depends, as you know, upon many factors. The appointments during the last 8 years were overwhelmingly Republican, and in the past during Democratic administrations they were overwhelmingly Democratic. I would hope that the paramount consideration in the appointment of a judge will not be his political party but his qualifications for the office. Please be assured of my cooperation in the effort to achieve your objectives in this regard.
     With every good wish, I am,
        Sincerely,

JOHN F. KENNEDY.

Vice President Nixon replied:

     DEAR MR. RANDALL: It is a pleasure for me to have this opportunity to express my wholehearted support for the principles contained in the resolution adopted by the house of delegates of the American Bar Association on August 25,1959.
     I believe it is essential to the most effective operation of our judicial system that the best qualified lawyers and judges available be appointed to judicial office, and I concur also in your recommendation that the number of judges in Federal courts from each of the major political parties should be approximately equal.
     It is particularly gratifying for me to note that the record of the present administration has been in accord with the standards which have been espoused in your resolution; and that the platform adopted by the Republican National Convention in Chicago also endorsed these views.
    With all good wishes.
     Sincerely,

 RICHARD NIXON.